China plans to make it easier for foreign experts to come and stay, such as offering them 5-year or even 10-year multiple-entry visas.
Zhang Jianguo, head of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and a political adviser, said that this year he will try to make sure that the visa issue will not become a hurdle preventing high-end overseas talent from coming to China.
A new online visa and permit application system for foreigners in Beijing is set to be launched on March 8th (Tuesday) by Beijing Public Security Bureau (Beijing Police). It will simplify the procedures of obtaining Chinese visas and shorten approval time.
Foreigners will be allowed to apply for a visa, a stay permit or a residence permit through the public service section of the website, according to a statement on Sunday by the Entry and Exit Department of Beijing Police.
From Jan 30th, 2016, China granted 144-hour visa-free transit for foreign visitors at Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing.
The measure of 144-hour Transit Visa Exemption for Foreign Nationals from 51 countries destined for a third country (region) with booked a through air ticket goes into force as of Jan 30th, 2016.
From Dec 28th 2018, China granted 144-hour visa-free transit for foreign visitors at Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei (Tangshan, Qinhuangdao and Shijiazhuang).
Beijing will ban half of all cars from the road from Aug 20 to Sept 3 to ease traffic during the IAAF World athletics championships 2015 and the World War II victory parade.
Cars will be allowed on alternating days based on odd or even license plate numbers during the period, the municipal government said. The same ban was used last year during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Beijing, and created APEC Blue.
The car ban is expected not only to give Beijing a more free flow of traffic, but also improve the air quality.
Eighty percent of official business cars will also be off the road, said Rong Jun, spokesperson for Beijing's commission of transport.
Factories will be closed during the period to ensure clean air for both of the events, said Yu Jianhua, chief engineer of Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau.
