China has issued its first batch of "green cards" to 46 foreigners living in the country on Tuesday afternoon, granting them three to five years residency.
This was the most important reform in foreign residency policies since the foundation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, and served as a transition towards permanent residence, said Zhang Yindi, deputy-director of the Exit-Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security.
In the past, foreigners living in China had to renew their residency permits each year or every six months.
(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2003)
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