Beijing to allow foreigners 72-hr visa-free entries

Beijing soon will introduce a 72-hour visa-free entry policy for foreign visitors, the city’s police chief said on May 26, reiterating the capital’s friendly attitude toward foreigners.

During a meeting with three foreign representatives, Fu Zhenghua, chief of Beijing’s public security bureau, said the new policy will be a sign of Beijing’s commitment to greater openness, while local police will continue doing their utmost to create a safe city for all residents.

HK reclaims Sichuan

aid funds

The Hong Kong Government has decided to reclaim the HK$2 million (US$257,600) it donated to an earthquake-devastated* city in Sichuan Province after local authorities pulled down a school built with the aid money.

Stephen Lam, chief secretary of the administration of Hong Kong, went to Sichuan Province on May 24 and said Hong Kong would allocate* the returned money to other reconstruction projects in Sichuan.

Firearms smuggling ring busted*

Police have broken up a criminal ring that smuggled dozens of firearms into China from Southeast Asia despite some of the world’s toughest gun laws, Xinhua reported on May 26.

Police have arrested a 33-year-old Chinese man from Shantou, Guangdong — described by authorities as the ringleader — and 13 other suspects, the Ministry of Public Security said.

China’s WTO suit hits back at U.S. duties

China launched a complaint at the World Trade Organization on May 25 against the United States import duties on 22 Chinese products that the United States says are unfairly priced or subsidized, including solar panels, wind towers and steel products.

The complaint, which also encompasses* such diverse products as citric acid*, kitchen shelving and lawn groomers, covers exports to the United States worth US$7.3 billion, the ministry said.

(SD-Agencies)