The rules: which foreigners will be banned from China during the Olympics
- By Cam MacMurchy
- Published June 2, 2008
- News
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Rating:
ChinaNews.com is reporting that BOCOG (the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games) has announced six categories of laowai who will be banned from entering China.
They are:
1 Foreigners who have already been deported by the government (unless you have been deported and already served your three-year ban… then you’re free to re-apply for a visa – no guarantees though, obviously)
2 Foreigners who have the potential to conduct terrorist operations, violence, or to plan to “overthrow the government”
3 Foreigners considered to have the potential to smuggle or sell drugs or engage in prostitution (closing Maggie’s was a good first step)
4 Have a psychological disorder or other disease such as leprosy, tuberculosis, or a “sexual illness”
5 Foreigners who can not afford expenses during their stay in Beijing
6 Foreigners who are considered to have the potential to endanger the state security and state interests
The psychological disorder one piques my interest, and seems an odd criterion to meet before being allowed to watch the Olympics in person.
As for foreigners who can not afford to stay, how will this be determined? My father has filled out his visa application and will be arriving in Beijing tomorrow and there was certainly no place for him to fill out his financial or income tax data.
Finally, BOCOG said that foreigners who already bought tickets are not guaranteed entry to China.
The original story in China News, in Chinese, can be found here.
Special thanks to XQ for the the translation.
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3 Responses to "The rules: which foreigners will be banned from China during the Olympics" 
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said this on 02 Jun 2008 10:00:26 PM PST
" Have a psychological disorder such as leprosy, tuberculosis, or a “sexual illness”"
None of those are psychological disorders. Surely they mean a psychological disorder or diseases such as... And there's nothing new here. China has banned foreigners with these diseases for a long time now. They're supposed to be checked for in your medical check you do to get your residence permit. |
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said this on 02 Jun 2008 10:23:06 PM PST
Chriswaugh_bj... good point on the "or diseases such as..." I've updated it in the script. I'm still surprised though that somebody could be denied entry because of a psychological issue.
I've also heard (although can't remember where) that the health tests aren't as strenuous as they were before. Although, having gone through four such tests in my time in China, they are certainly no picnic. |
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said this on 04 Jun 2008 9:58:45 AM PST
"psychological" probably a mistranslation and should be 'physiological' - a medical check is normal practice for foreigners wanting to work in China
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