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)