EASIER TRAVEL: Ministry of Public Security new rules facilitate the easy travel of foreigners (XINHUA)

A family from Rwanda resides in Shandong Province, China (XINHUA)

Entry permits extended

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of foreigners entering China to visit their relatives. This has prompted the government to issue new regulations to facilitate the travel of these foreigners. Starting from June 1, foreigners with close relatives in China can apply for residence permits, according to Ministry of Public Security. The new multi-entry permit will be valid up to two years and can also be extended when it expires. Under previous regulations, foreigners visiting family applied for an "L visa," which was valid for one year and had entry/exit limitations.

New residence permits will make foreigners' travel more convenient. If they need to stay in China for more than six months, they can apply for permits valid for one or two years when they are under the following five categories:

●Foreign spouses, parents, and children under 18 of Chinese citizens or foreigners who have permanent residence status in China;

●Foreigners older than 60, and their spouses, who do not have immediate family abroad and come to China to live with their immediate family. The immediate family members in China can be Chinese citizens or foreigners who have permanent residence status in China;

●Overseas Chinese aged above 60 who have bought houses in China, and have foreign spouses and children aged below 18;

●Overseas Chinese older than 18 who come to China to take care of their Chinese parents, who have reached 60 and do not have any children in China; and

●Foreign children under 18 being taken care of in China and whose parents are overseas Chinese or Chinese citizens who hold permanent residence permits in other countries.

Website: http://www.mps.gov.cn/n16/n84147/n84196/2418747.html

New immigration law planned

China is planning its first draft immigration law to better manage the skyrocketing number of incoming foreigners. The plan was made public at a global forum on migration in late May in Beijing. But details of the plan have yet to be released. The first draft of the law is expected to classify potential immigrants into different categories such as skilled or unskilled workers, skilled immigration or investor immigration so as to apply the correct management regulations.

Currently China has no comprehensive immigration law like Western countries. The only regulations of similar nature are rules concerning entry and exit administration and invitations for foreign investment. But the number of foreigners coming to China is growing. In 2007, more than 10 percent of the estimated 26 million foreigners who entered China came for employment, according to the Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration. In Shanghai, there were about 152,000 registered foreigners in 2009, a 14 percent increase over 2008. And foreigners, for the first time, will be included in China's national census in November of 2010. Expert Zhang Jijiao with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences suggested that the government learn from experience abroad in managing immigration so as to draft an immigration policy that enhances China's appeal.

Website: http://www.mps.gov.cn/n16/n84147/n84181/398537.html

Internet map licenses

China published the latest revised regulations for Internet map service in late May to avoid leaking sensitive information involving state secrets and uncertified maps being published online. Under the new regulations, the first batch of licenses was issued by the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping to qualified Internet map service providers in June.

The new regulations classify Internet map providers into two categories based on the scale of service. The updated regulations also include wireless Internet map usage on cell phones and palm computers for the first time. By the end of December this year, the bureau will punish and blacklist online map providers without the license and release the blacklist to the public.

Website: http://www.sbsm.gov.cn/article/zcfg/zygfxwj/201005/20100500065809.shtml