The second draft of a new Law on Exit-Entry Management has been introduced in China’s National People’s Congress (NPC). The draft does not yet appear on the NPC’s website, but according to press reports, the law would cover various issues: Continue reading
AmCham China has just published its 2012 White Paper. Here’s a brief introduction to the chapter on visa policy, which I co-authored: Continue reading
Japan’s Daily Yomiuri is reporting that, in accordance with a request from the South Korean government, China has suspended deportation of North Korean defectors. The newspaper cites diplomatic sources that China’s actions are intended to show displeasure with North Korea’s recent long-range missile launch. Continue reading
National Public Radio reported on Guangzhou’s vibrant Little Africa neighborhood on April 27th. The neighborhood is home to some 10,000 Africans, many of them traders who come to China to buy cheap goods at the source and ship them home. Many arrived with 30-day visas but have overstayed. Continue reading
In an April 18 press release, the U.S. State Department trumpets its progress in reaching the goals set forth by President Obama in his January 2012 executive order on improving visa processing in China and Brazil. Continue reading
The Economist reports that China has decided that a group of North Korean defectors it found living in the city of Shenyang, not far from the North Korean border, should be forcibly sent back. At least 10 defectors were arrested at a bus terminal, according to the LA Times. They had planned to travel to South Korea to unite with family members. Continue reading
Anni Wan, a 16-year-old from Chongqing diagnosed with cancer in her chin, was given three months to live. That’s when an American friend helped her seek out doctors at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and get a B1/B2 (visitor) visa for medical treatment from the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu. Continue reading
A draft Law on Exit and Entry Administration was recently introduced in China’s National People’s Congress. This would be the first major overhaul of China’s immigration law since the Law on Entry and Exit of Foreigners was enacted in 1986. Continue reading
The U.S. Consular Mission is frustrated by its failure to convince China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reciprocally increase visa validity for visas for business visitors and tourists. Now, it appears that the U.S. is engaging in guerrilla diplomacy: encouraging Chinese netizens to speak out on the issue.
Yesterday, U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke announced the establishment of a new U.S. visa interview pilot program in China. This is good news, but the Administration may be entering a political minefield. Continue reading
