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Britain concerned about Beijing's new visa curbs

Britain’s top official in Hong Kong yesterday expressed concern about new pre-Olympics visa curbs on foreigners entering China from the territory.

Beijing tightened entry rules last week because of increased security ahead of the Games.

“Clearly there’s a degree of concern,” said Andrew Seaton, Britain’s new consul-general to Hong Kong. “The British Chamber I know has been very concerned about the real impact it has on the ability of their membership to pursue business in China.”

He said Britain had taken up the matter with Chinese authorities in Hong Kong, Beijing and London.

“As far as I know we do not yet have that precise clarification of the new rules that we are seeking,” Seaton told reporters on the first day of new consul-general job.

Beijing stopped issuing multi-entry visas around the start of this month and will not resume issuing them until October, travel agents in several countries have said.

Citizens of 33 countries, including India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Nepal, have been barred from applying for China visas in Hong Kong and will now have to apply from their home countries.

The rules don’t apply to foreigners resident in Hong Kong.

A number of other foreign business chambers have also voiced criticism, saying businesspeople aren’t able to obtain multiple-entry visas and have been stymied by extra red tape, requiring proof of hotel vouchers and a return air-ticket before visas are issued. The American Chamber of Commerce said it was receiving daily complaints of rejected visa applications.

“There’s a real disconnection between the announcements and the actuality,” chamber president Richard Vuylsteke said.

China has insisted multi-entry visas are available but said officials would “consider the real need of the applicant” in granting one.
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