Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/china.tvl

Text File | 1994-04-11 | 9KB | 155 lines

#CARD:China:Travel\Consular Information
China - Consular Information Sheet
July 9, 1993

Country Description:  The People's Republic of China has a stable communist
government.  It has a developing economy, some sectors of which are
industrialized.  Modern tourist facilities are not widely available except
in major cities.

Entry Requirements:  Passports and visas are required.  Most tourist visas
are valid for only one entry.  Travelers require a new visa for additional
entries into China.  Those who arrive without a visa will be fined a minimum
of $400 at the port of entry and might not be allowed to enter China.  A
transit visa is required for any stop (even if one does not exit the plane
or train) in China.  Specific information is available through the Embassy
of the People's Republic of China at 2300 Connecticut Avenue N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. [phone], or from one of the consulates
general in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco.

Medical Facilities:  The quality of medical care in China is uneven.
Competent, trained doctors and nurses are available in major metropolitan
centers.  However, hospital accommodations are spartan and medical
technology is not up-to-date.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate
cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always
valid outside the United States.  Supplemental medical insurance with
specific overseas coverage including provision for medical evacuation is
essential for any U.S. citizen traveling or residing in China.  The
Department of State's brochure "Tips for Travelers to the People's Republic
of China" contains additional information concerning medical care in China.
This brochure is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.  Questions on health
matters can also be addressed to the Centers for Disease Control through its
international travelers hotline at [phone].

Information on Crime:  China has a low crime rate; however, crime has
increased in the past few years, principally in the major cities.  Americans
and other foreigners have seldom been victims of violent crime.  Theft is
the most common crime affecting visitors and occurs most frequently in
crowded public areas, such as hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, and public
transportation sites.  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be
reported immediately to the local police, and the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate.  Police reports are necessary in China in order that travelers
may obtain new visas from Chinese authorities.  Chinese authorities require
that travelers have valid visas to exit China, or even to travel and
register in hotels within China.  Useful information on guarding valuables
and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the
Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad."  It is available from
the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Adoption:   After completing lengthy preadoption procedures in the United
States, foreigners wishing to adopt a child in China can expect to spend at
least four weeks in China.  Current adoption information can be obtained by
calling the U.S. Department of State [phone], or writing to the
Office of Citizens Consular Services, Room 4800, Department of State,
Washington, D.C. 20520.

Drug Penalties:  Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of
the country in which they travel.  Criminal penalties for possession, use,
or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can
expect severe jail sentences and fines.  Hong Kong passport holders have
been executed for drug offenses, and one U.S. citizen, convicted on drug-
related charges in Shanghai, has received a fifteen year prison sentence.

Customs Information:  Information concerning regulations and procedures
governing items that may be brought into China is available through the
Chinese Embassy and consulates.  Students may bring into China only a
limited number of items which are considered necessary for study and daily
life.  Some Americans resident in China have been required to pay customs
duty on certain large items each time they temporarily depart China, if
required procedures were not followed when the items were originally brought
into China.

Passport Confiscation:  The confiscation of foreign passports of persons
involved in commercial disputes occurs in China.  Under such circumstances,
the U.S. government will issue another passport to any American citizen who
applies for one.  Even if a new U.S. passport is issued, the Chinese
government may block departure.

Dual Nationality:  China does not recognize dual nationality.  U.S. citizens
who are also Chinese nationals have experienced difficulty entering and
departing China on U.S. passports and some U.S. passports have been seized
by Chinese authorities.  Dual nationals may be subject to Chinese laws which
impose special obligations.  China requires that such persons travel on
Chinese documentation.  The United States requires that all U.S. citizens
enter and depart the U.S. on U.S. passports.  Under the U.S.- PRC Consular
Convention, dual nationals who enter China using a U.S. passport and a valid
PRC visa would generally be considered and treated as U.S. citizens
throughout their stay in China.  Dual nationals who enter China on a Chinese
passport will always be considered and treated as Chinese nationals, and the
ability of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to provide normal consular services
would be extremely limited should the individual encounter difficulties with
Chinese authorities.  Children who are born in the United States of Chinese
national parents who are neither U.S. legal permanent residents or
naturalized U.S. citizens are not recognized as U.S. citizens under Chinese
nationality law.  Although Chinese visas may be issued to them in their U.S.
passports in error, those children will be treated solely as Chinese
nationals by Chinese authorities when in China.  All dual nationals are
encouraged to contact the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-
3675 or the U.S. Embassy in Beijing at (86-1) 532-3831 ext. 229 for
additional information before traveling to China.

Consular Access:  Consular officers are not always notified when a U.S.
citizen has been detained.  This is particularly true when the U.S. citizen
is also a dual national, and is considered by the Chinese government to be a
citizen of China.  U.S. citizens have rights to consular access under the
U.S. - P.R.C. Consular Convention and should insist upon contact with the
U.S. Embassy or one of the U.S. Consulates General.  Dual nationals who
enter China on Chinese passports are not covered under the Consular
Convention and would be treated as Chinese nationals.  Such individuals may
well be denied access to U.S. consular officials.

Travel to Tibet:  The Chinese government requires U.S. citizens wishing to
visit Tibet to apply in advance for approval from the Tourist Administration
of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.  More information is available through the
Chinese Embassy or a Consulate in the United States, or while in China, at
the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. consulate general.

Document Seizures:  Chinese authorities have seized documents, literature,
and letters which they deem to be religious, pornographic, or political in
nature.  They have detained and expelled individuals believed to be engaged
in proselytization or in conduct they consider immoral.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy or a consulate
general may obtain updated information on travel and security within the
country.

Embassy and Consulate Locations:  The U.S. Embassy Consular Section in China
is located at Xiu Shui Dong Jie 3, Beijing - 100600, telephone (86-1) 532-
3831; fax [phone].

There are Consulates General in:

Guangzhou at Number 1 South Shamian Street, Shamian Island 20031, Guangzhou,
telephone [phone] ext. 255, fax [phone];

Shanghai, located at 1469 Huai Hai Middle Road, telephone [phone],
fax [phone];

Shenyang at No. 40 Lane 4, Section 5, Sanjing Street, Heping District,
telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; and in

Chengdu at the Jinjiang Hotel, 180 Renmin Road, telephone [phone],
ext. 131, fax [phone].

No. 93-171

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated November 13, 1992, and
provides expanded information concerning entry requirements, consular
access, drug penalties, dual nationality and adoption procedures.

#ENDCARD