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Pre-Olympic Visa Policy Tightens Further

Thursday, 17th April 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)

For foreigners currently in China and hoping to stay here past the Olympics in August, it looks like the visa situation is getting even more difficult. Foreigners on business and tourist visas rely heavily on visa runs to Hong Kong to renew their ability to stay in the country. Now the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong is saying that visa applicants must apply from their home countries:

"Visa applicants are increasing in a large number and need longer waiting time in the visa office recently. If you don't reside or work in Hong Kong permanently, you are required to apply Chinese visa from the Embassy or Consulate-General of Peoples' Republic of China in your resident country. You are welcome to China for tourism, business, visit of the Olympic Games."

For more commentary, check out Shanghaiist and All Roads Lead to China.

For some other measures effecting Australian travelers, see this story on News.com.au.

Related ChinaSportstoday Stories: China Tightens Visa Policy in Runup to Olympics

Tags: Olympics, visa

Hoops Star's Cancer Fears Relieved

Thursday, 17th April 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)

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A few days ago, a story came out in the Shanghai Daily that 19-year-old Xu Yong (徐咏), a forward on China's men's national basketball team, was diagnosed with "potential bone cancer" and he was leaving the national team. A subsequent story said that he was "facing a tragic future" and had a 70 percent chance of having cancer. The most recent story is that the growth he has in his left leg is just a cyst and he will be fine. Xu plays for the Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Xiyang. He averaged 18 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists last season.

Image: Sina.com

Tags: basketball, CBA, Olympics, Shanghai Xiyang, Xu Yong