Stricter rules but China still welcomes foreigners

BEIJING - Foreigners worry that China is becoming less friendly towards them after Beijing police recently announced a one-hundred-day campaign to curb the illegal entry, residence and employment of foreign nationals.

However, the campaign should be no threat to foreigners legally residing in the country.

The campaign, which will run until the end of August, will include household checks in Wangjing, Sanlitun and Wudaokou, areas of the city known for high concentrations of foreign residents, as well as on-the-spot street checks that will require foreigners to present valid identification.

Curbing illegal entry, residence and employment is, in fact, an international issue, which has bothered many developed countries for years.

Illegal entry, stay and work of foreigners in China not only poses difficulties for social management, but more importantly can lead to increased criminal activity, says Prof. Xiang Dang with Chinese People's Public Security University.

The announcement of the police campaign came after a video of a drunken British tourist allegedly assaulting a girl in Beijing was uploaded onto the Internet. Another online video of a Russian cellist putting his feet on the seat of a woman passenger in front of him and verbally abusing her has also recently caused outrage.

Chinese working and staying overseas are required to observe the local laws and regulations. Equally, China expects foreigners residing here to respect and obey Chinese laws and regulations.

With rapid economic growth over three decades, the country is attracting an ever-increasing number of foreigners coming to work and stay.

Stricter rules don't mean that China's openness and inclusiveness to foreigners are changing, but mean better management.

A draft law on China's exit and entry administration is in the process of deliberation by China's legislature. A new visa category titled "talent introduction" has been added to the draft law.

Officials said that China will make greater efforts to resolve issues related to overseas talents' visas and residency permits this year.Meanwhile, China will bolster favorable treatment for them with advantageous policies in social insurance, taxation, medical services, their children's education and academic funding.