Since China implemented the new entry and exit policy and stopped issuing visas to American citizens at ports of entry on April 1, Fujian Province has refused the entry of two Americans who failed to get valid visas beforehand. It was learned Tuesday at Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection (BGSEEFI) that according to new regulations the frontier department has also refused the entry of several American tourists with no valid visas.

A report by Xiamen Daily said two passengers on board the Macao-Xiamen flight, who held the US passport and were unfamiliar with China's new exit and entry policy, had to made their way back on the same plane after their entry had been declined.

It was also learned from BGSEEFI that according to the new policy the frontier department has also refused the entry of several American tourists with no valid visas. Since it was implemented this has been the first time that Beijing stopped the US citizens from entry due to the policy change.

It was learned that from April 1 Chinese ports began to implement a new policy -- American citizens cannot apply for visa at ports of entry and must finish visa procedures outside China before entry. Before this China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the United States' insistence on fingerprinting most Chinese citizens going to the US despite China's negotiation by adopting three measures with regard to American citizens coming to China. These include the stipulation that "from now on American citizens cannot apply for visa at ports of entry and must finish visa procedures outside China before entry."

(People's Daily April 7, 2004)