Businessmen: Cancel the conference! Inbound tourists: Abort your holiday plans! China residents (those without work visas): Prepare for some logistical gymnastics! We don’t want to rock the boat (although after that opening salvo, perhaps the boat has already sailed), but it appears the dreaded visa controls are back as the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic approaches. As the South China Morning Post says in its report, the information remains sketchy – and the report itself comes after a few weeks of equally sketchy rumors. However, three mainland visa agents have reportedly confirmed that all new business visas issued recently will expire on September 15. Before you run amok, let’s remind ourselves of what we don’t know: Do these restrictions apply to all applications or just those from certain places? (The report doesn’t say.) What happens to existing visas that expire after September 15? (Apparently these are unaffected.) What about tourists and students? (Apparently they are unaffected… for now.) What about new applications for visas that expire before September 15? (The report is unclear.) From what we don’t know to what we do know… Public security will be beefed up as the October 1 anniversary nears. Just like the Olympics, this is China’s party and not everyone is invited. And, while the Olympics are supposed to be global, this actually is China’s party so who are we to argue? Those who stick around for the next few months can expect to enjoy “a steady and harmonious social environment,” according to the Ministry of Public Security. The standard military parades will be accompanied by a host of patriotic activities that will help people not only love the party but also put the travails of the economic downturn behind them (that’s what state media says, but we are somewhat equivocal – it’s not our party).
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