The Foreign Ministry yesterday denied that China had stopped issuing multi-entry visas to foreigners, insisting that visa issue procedures continue to be convenient.

Applications are being scrutinized more carefully, spokesman Qin Gang said, adding that the new procedures are based on practices during previous Olympics and other large-scale international sports events.

"It does not mean all multiple-entry visas have been suspended," he told a regular news briefing.

He said the policies would be in place "for a period of time".

"What is unchanged and will not change is safeguarding our national security and making sure our environment is safe, and making sure foreigners in China will be safe," he said.

"The Chinese government and people will continue to adhere to the policy of opening and reform, and we will continue to be open to the world. We welcome foreigners to come to China to study, work, and travel," he said.

Qin stressed that traveling to China remains far more convenient than to many other countries.

For example, "we do not require fingerprinting for foreign visitors".

Earlier foreign media reports - citing travel agents in Hong Kong - said China had stopped issuing multiple-entry visas and slowed visa processing in the special administrative region - a major gateway for travel to the mainland - in restrictions that will remain in place until after the Olympics.

They said that the authorities are now issuing only single- or double-entry visas to foreigners in Hong Kong, scaling back a program that issued multiple-entry business visas valid for up to three years.

More rules including additional documentation for business visas and hotel bookings and plane tickets for tourist visas have also been reported.

Some foreign chambers of commerce in Hong Kong said the alleged restrictions were affecting their members who travel frequently to the mainland on business.

In Hong Kong, the Foreign Ministry's Office of the Commissioner issued a statement on Monday to clarify some doubts over the visa policy.

It said Chinese visa procedures remain convenient and the office would continue to provide efficient service to applicants.

The office also suggested those who do not work or reside permanently in Hong Kong to apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese embassies in their resident countries because "the recent drastic rise in the number of applicants adds to the waiting time for processing".

Visa processing usually takes four work days, it said.

Agencies contributed to the story

(China Daily May 7, 2008)