46 foreigners, including 43 Americans, have been forbidden to disembark in Shanghai on Monday as they have no valid visas.

The Americans were on the second-generation Pacific Princess' maiden voyage to Shanghai when they were forbidden to disembark.

This March, the American Embassy in China started to scan and collect fingerprints of the majority of Chinese non-immigration visa applicants.

China then decided to take new visa measures for American citizens coming to China.

Under the new policy, Americans are not allowed to apply for visas at Chinese entry ports and their visa applications should be completed at the Chinese embassy or consulates before entering China.

Officials say the number of American citizens refused entry by the Shanghai port Monday is the largest ever since April.   

(CRI.com June 15, 2004)