Chinese authorities have stopped issuing multiple-entry visas to foreigners and slowed visa processing in Hong Kong, a major gateway for travel to the mainland, in restrictions that will last until after the Beijing Olympics, travel agents said Tuesday.
The restrictions come amid criticism of China's human rights record from abroad after its recent crackdown on anti-government riots in Tibet. Protesters tried to disrupt the Olympic torch relay in Paris and London this week.
Travel agent Luk Tak said Chinese authorities are now only issuing single- or double-entry visas to foreigners in Hong Kong, scaling back a program that used to issue multiple-entry business visas that lasted up to three years.
An official at another travel agency, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue, said the best visa his agency can currently obtain is a double-entry visa valid for three months.
~ more... ~
No comments:
Post a Comment