China acknowledges it has tightened visa procedures ahead of Olympics

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BEIJING - China has acknowledged for the first time today that it is tightening its visa policies ahead of the Olympic Games.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang says the government has made "some arrangements" and it will be more strict in the approval process.

He did not directly link the changes to the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Olympics, but said the policies would "be maintained for a period of time."

Travel agents in Hong Kong, a major gateway to mainland China, reported last month that the government visa office told them multiple-entry business visas would not be available from mid-April until mid-October.

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

Both the American and European chambers of commerce in Hong Kong sent letters to the Chinese government last month, citing several cases of visa denials and raising concerns over the impact on businesses.

© The Canadian Press, 2008