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Originally Posted by pin  So the SCMP is reporting that the Canton fair has opened with a pretty poor turnout. It says contributing factors include the global economy, strength of the Yuan, etc etc. No mention of the visa restrictions.
BTW would the visa restrictions be a contributing factor for turnout, or am I reading this all wrong? |
I would not be surprised if word of the visa issue has had some impact on attendance albeit limited and not likely any where close to the main reasons (ie the US economy slowing down and all the US election focus on China). Right now they seem to be wanting to bash China for pure, local political gains. It will die down again after the Olympics. Even Hilary Clinton is doing this on the heels of her husband's efforts to build relations by not hectoring China but by dialogue and trade.
A parallel in my mind was when the USA announced that Canadians would need passports to enter the US by 2009 (IIRC the date right), tourism numbers by US visitors to Canada took a major hit as did tourists heading to the USA. This was due to confusion over the rule and the dates as well as the low percentages of US citizens who actually have a passport. Same with Canadians.