Liu Jianchao is a very funny guy..........

quote
"The EU Chamber of Commerce in China said it was concerned about the restrictions in Shanghai and was seeking official confirmation on whether similar restrictions would apply in Beijing and other Olympic host cities.
"The introduction of such restrictions without warning creates serious problems for companies operating in China," the EU Chamber said in a statement.
Business consultants say the restrictions are starting to hurt exporters, which in some cases are unable to finalise contracts because their clients' inspectors are unable to get into the country.
Asked about the reported restrictions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said his government was seeking to ensure a safe Games.
"Frankly, with China holding the Olympic Games, we have tightened our security measures, including making necessary changes in visa policy," Liu told a regular news conference.
These changes may make obtaining a visa more troublesome but "will not affect foreigners' normal activities, such as business, study and tourism"
unquote
Full link is here:
http://in.reuters.com/article/asiaCompanyAndMarkets/idINPEK64620080724?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
It seems this people are very far away from any business reality - they simply do not have any idea how "day to day" business is working in China - their own home country. Sorry we simply need to go to the factory. We are not carrying bombs, banners, tibet flags (because we are not this "dangerous forces") - we are mainly carrying work with us and bringing business to China.
This is our "normal activities" - just work.
Mr Liu go home, get a massage, watch the Olympics - but please do not talk Visa nonsense - it seems you know nothing about it. You are dismissed !
The "feelings" of many foreigners are hurt very deeply now !
DON'T WORRY - STILL 2 WEEKS TO GO. ENOUGH TIME TO LOCK DOWN THE WHOLE COUNTRY !
Will BUCKETHEAD play at the opening party ? Or is he a "dangerous force" ? At least he is easy to spot - even in a big city like Beijing !

URGENT NEWS - SHANGHAI TERROR PLOT ?

please see below link - very fresh. We can be sure that this was not a group of "normal business travellers" - as the news is very fresh lets see and wait what is the reality behind:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,390049,00.html

As promised !

The next "China Visa Nonsense" to read here + editorial comment today SCMP. Just click on it to read comfortable.

A wider "newsreel" is added at the page end - for better reading.

Worth reading.......

here another link to cnreviews following up the post below. But (yes yes so many "but"):
We are living in the year 2008 - each nation has their special views - there is an "Olympics" in China now granted 7 years ago by the IOC. Yes and ?
Security is necessary = okay.
Visa policy is adjusted in a wrong way.
And why the "West" and the "Central Government" cannot find ways to just have a happy Games and finish. It is only 2 weeks and so much noise about it ? From both "sides". For myself I must say sorry - I was never very much interested in the Olympics - if in China, USA or wherever. But we can be assured that there will be a"monster show" for the opening and the closing.
http://cnreviews.com/china_cultural_differences/is_the_west_impossible_to_please_20080723.html The discriminating comments of Wei Wei are ridiculous: "Dangerous forces" - 1,000's of business people going back and forth to China 100 of times the last decade(s) - they are now "dangerous forces" ? This people are very "friendly forces" because they are supporting China.
This Wei Wei should be FIRED ON THE SPOT after giving such kind of statement. What an "unsensible nonsense". Not able to express this "security policy" in a more smart way ?
Here some "Little fluffy clouds" for you by The Orb - enjoy:

No Visa ? Then you are a "dangerous force"........

very easy ! According to Mr Wei Wei:
quote
Wei Wei, director general of the ministry's consular department, told state-owned media last week that the visa policy aims to "keep dangerous forces outside the country" during the Olympics and that the new measures bring China in line with international standards.
"The new policy is not as strict as might be imagined," Wei said. "Those who apply to come to China for justifiable reasons will be given every convenience."
unquote
In what state of mind Wei Wei was saying this ? Drunk ? Tired ? Totally overworked ? Or he just made a joke and nobody understands the joke ?

One World, One Dream, but No Visa

please read some parts of this report here - full story in the link:
quote
After telling everyone what a long way China has come since they’ve opened their borders, I feel stupid having to explain that I’m coming home because, uh, foreigners have to leave for unexplained reasons. This change in rules is shady, arbitrary and frightening, and after trying to change the perception of China away from this stereotype, I feel like an idiot.
When I first saw the Olympics countdown commercials, on CCTV9 in my old Yantai apartment, it was over 800 days to the Beijing Olympics. I’ve eagerly watched it count down, two years, one year, 100 days, and now that there’s less than a month to go, I’m leaving China. The Olympics will be on TV at home, but I don’t know if I’ll remember the Beijing games as more than the reason we had to leave China.
I was crying as Chris and I drove to the brand new Terminal 3 airport, past the new Beijing 2008 banners proclaiming the Olympic slogans Beijing Welcomes You! and One World, One Dream.
Beijing is welcoming someone, I guess. But it’s not us.
unquote
http://cnreviews.com/beijing/china_visa_problems_one_world_one_dream_but_no_visa_20080721.html "Feeling like an idiot".......many of us have this feeling. After that many years getting a "kick in the ass". It is now really going on the nerves - our business is effected - we have lost some orders already, because no chance to go and control the things in the way we need to do.

HOLIDAY

in Cambodia ! Off for some days - enjoy yourself. Read the news and hope you get a visa. Jello has the correct melody for this:

YES ! Business is "very good".......

for many traders and others - because the "china visa" regulations are helping a lot to destroy small companies - especially small companies on the mainland - here some lines for better understanding - the full report in the link below:
quote
However, some Western brands are struggling to get their quality-assurance inspectors into the country to meet their corporate social-responsibility requirements, said Paul French, chief China analyst at market-research firm Access Asia.
"When you are ordering half a million leather jackets, you need someone to come and check they have two arms," Mr. French said.
A mass of lost orders could prove fatal for China's textile companies, two-thirds of which operate on profit margins of 1.5 percent or less.
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade declined to comment on the impact of the visa regulations on the country's exporters, citing "the special conditions we are facing now, especially with the Olympics so close."
unquote
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/21/games-are-no-fun-for-traders/

China’s Strict Visa Conditions Threaten Olympics

The complain is understandable, not really understandable is why they simply do not provide the needed documentation to apply for the visa ? At least they are some kind of Government people and should have no problem to do so.
Besides this: Many different kind of "standards for visa applications" are blooming. Here the full story:
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=117382
Please see the newsreel added below the blog picture - permanent news updates there - touch it and it will start moving.