Expatriates living in Shanghai were reminded that their residence permit may be revoked if they are caught driving under the influence of alcohol, the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau said yesterday.

A man from a Southeast Asian nation who was caught driving after drinking had his residence permit revoked, was ordered to serve 10 days' detention and was fined 500 yuan (US$73.21).

He was asked to leave the country after serving the detention.

Police didn't give other details such as the suspect's name and nationality.

The man was stopped by police for a routine alcohol test on August 15 when he was heading home from a party at 3am. A breath test indicated that the man was driving under the influence of alcohol. Police also said he was carrying a fake license.

The man confessed that he got a driving license in the United States when he studied there, but that he didn't want to go through the hassle of getting a Chinese one after moving here so he purchased a counterfeit license, according to police.

"Since his behavior has caused danger to public security, the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau decided to revoke his residence permit according to the country's immigration law," the bureau said in a written statement to the media yesterday.

"Any foreigner caught driving drunk will get the same punishment as a local," the statement added.

Shanghai police launched a drunk driving crackdown last month.

Anyone caught driving under the influence of alcohol will be fined 500 yuan and have their license suspended for three months. Drunk drivers will be detained for 15 days, have their license suspended for six months and be fined 2,000 yuan.

(Shanghai Daily September 15, 2009)