China's "green card" system will be put into practice by the end of
this year, said a senior Chinese police officer in charge of
exit-entry administration here Thursday.
The "green card" regulations have been revised several times, said
Hao Chiyong, head of the exit-entry administration of the Ministry
of Public Security, adding that "relevant preparations have been
done."
The "green card" will be granted to foreigners with senior
management or technological expertise, and foreigners who have
invested heavily in China, and the cardholders will be allowed to
stay in this country permanently and to enter China without a
visa.
This is one of the six major reform measures announced in November
last year at a national meeting on exit-entry administration, held
by the ministry.
Hao said four of the six major reform measures have been
implemented in less than four months.
In
February last year, China simplified the procedures for applying
for business and tourist trips to Hong Kong and Macao.
From this year on, the visa issuance offices of 25 port cities can
grant visas to the foreign tourists whose trips are organized by
Chinese travel services.
Since last February, Chinese citizens have been able to apply for
passports without presenting invitations from abroad.
Special through-customs channels for Chinese citizens have already
been set up in over 20 airports across the country, far more than
the planned ten airports.
Hao also announced that from Sept. 1, Shanghai residents can get a
passport merely by presenting their identity cards and household
registration documents to the exit-entry administration, and there
is no need of approval from work units.
Previously, this practice has been on trial in nine cities of south
China's Guangdong Province, Fushun city of Liaoning Province, Zibo
city of Shandong Province and Qionghai city of Hainan Province.
(Xinhua News
Agency August 30, 2002)