Foreigners staying in Shanghai need to register at the nearest police station within 24 hours of arriving in Shanghai, the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration warned on May 9.

People staying in hotels do not need to worry as hotel staff will register for them after the check–in process has been completed.

Everyone else needs to register at police station within 24 hours after arrival although the administration said a 72-hour limit would be given to individuals staying in remote suburbs of Shanghai.

According to the administration, the number of foreign visitors increased 20 percent to 5.2 million last year.

People arriving in the city from overseas are expected to exceed 10 million in 2010, when the World Expo is held in Shanghai, according to the administration.

The registration is for their safety, the administration said.

Some foreigners forget to register. First-time offenders will be warned, but repeat offenders will be fined, the administration warned.

(Shanghai Daily May 12, 2008)