Games guide sets out rules for foreign entry

By Li Xinran  |   2008-6-3  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

FOREIGN visitors suspected of working in the sex trade, of smuggling drugs or belonging to a terrorist organization will not be allowed to enter China during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, organizers of the Games said yesterday.

Foreigners with mental or epidemic diseases, including tuberculosis and leprosy, will also not be issued visas to visit China, the Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee said in a nine-page legal guide published on its official Website, www.Beijing2008.cn.

The document is entitled "A Guide to Chinese Law for Foreigners Coming to, Leaving or Staying in China During the Olympics." The detailed guide covers 57 topics.

Entry would be denied to anyone "who might conduct acts of terrorism, violence and government subversion ... and those who might engage in activities endangering China's national security and national interest," the guide states.

"Foreigners must respect Chinese laws while in China and must not harm China's national security or damage social order," it adds.

The guide, which is in Chinese only, also bans foreigners from carrying weapons, replica guns, ammunition, explosives, drugs, and dangerous species.

Publications and computer storage devices with content harmful to China's politics, cultures, morals and economy are also prohibited, the guide says.

However, visiting foreigners may bring one pet during their visit.

During their stay in China, overseas visitors shall also obey public rules. Anyone drunk in a public place might be detained by police, according to the guide.

"To maintain the public hygiene and civilized image of cities, sleeping outdoors is banned in such public venues as airports, bus stations, piers, sidewalks and urban greenbelts," the guide says.

Visitors shall keep passports, ID or driver's licenses with them at all times during their stay in China.

Foreigners staying with Chinese residents in urban areas must register at a local police station within 24 hours of arriving. The limit in rural areas is 72 hours.

Foreigners can also rent houses during the Games, but they should register at police stations.

Some areas of the country are not open to foreigners and overseas visitors will not be allowed to enter.

"Foreigners will not necessarily automatically get visas just because they have bought Olympic tickets. They need to apply for visas in accordance with rules at Chinese embassies or consulates," the guide says.

It also outlines activities which are illegal at cultural or sporting events, including waving "insulting banners," attacking referees or players, and lighting fireworks in venues.