[KnowItAll]

Just out of curiosity, why do you think that China should do this? The US Consulate in Hong Kong will only issue US Visas to HK residents. And the US doesn't issue visas on arrival. China is just bringing itself into line with world practice.

Perhaps because they might want to appear as a progressive country that welcomes foreign investments, business people and travellers?

God knows the US and most European countries have given up on that friendly-to-travellers perception. However, Asian countries, given the proximity to each other and the nature of travel that happens regionally have traditionally been far more open to visitors just popping in and asking for a visa.

Then there is the issue of informing people of the changes. Once an expectation that you can get visas in Hong Kong has been set - people plan on getting that visa when they arrive here. Virtually most American / European colleagues of mine (when I used to work for the man..) planned on using HK as a base and then popping in and out of China.

If you've worked for a company that values training its employees to delivery consistent and predictable service - you'll know why its important to inform, train and then deliver a consistent response across the planet.

[Boris]

Love the use of the words consistent and predictable. It works well in China.

Consistently and predictably not telling anyone until its too late.
This debacle brings to mind the other gem in China. Shutting down air traffic with no notice so the Air Force can play with its toys.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by Boris

WRONG

If you actually bothered to read before spouting forth your usual bollocks you would see that I was addressing the topics of issuing visas to non-residents and issuing visas on arrival at the border. In these aspects the normal practice (taking the US as an example) is that visas on arrival are not available, and that you must apply for the visa in your country of residence.

The UK consulate in Hong Kong is quite unusual in that it will issue UK visas to non-HK-residents, but from my wife's experience of getting visas to a number of countries around the world this is the exception rather than the rule.

[Boris]

As you where answering a quote from Star Gazer QUOTE non-issuance of visas to non hk residents in hk UNQUOTE
with the border issue as an addition - whats a guy to think. I will leave others to judge on the bollocks question.

What you have answered in fact is that its "world practice" not to grant visa to non residence for visits to adjacent or unconnected countries. In which case we should not be allowed say, to go, as a UK citizen, to the Vietnamese consulate in Washington DC ( ? ) and get a Vietnam Visa because the company has called you up in the US to get your arse to Hanoi or Ho Chi Min City. You would have to fly back to the UK and apply in your own country through the Vietnam consulate / embassy visa desk there.

Those of us that travel the world on business might think that a little disjointed in relation to reality. So again I leave others to judge about whether its " usual bollocks " or not.

Of course you might now argue that its not relevant to HK. If that where the case anyone INSIDE HK, visitor or not should have automatic rights to enter the mainland , which is the same country. Of course this would be TRUE bollocks, hence we need a visa. The situation here is as true as if you are in a foreign land needing to go onward to another foreign land. Now thats the Dogs Bollocks.

[namaste]

For those going for daytrips, you can write "daytrip" for the name of the hotel.

As far as changing visas to 'come-up' to world standards....There is no other country in the world that has so many business owners and employees living in Special Administrative Regions that maintain a separate passport/visa system. I could see how that is relevant to tourists, but not to the thousands of people who commute to HK regularly for work (and the betterment of their global economy). This new rule is causing huge problems for families. Many fathers are having to stay in China now full-time and come home only once or twice per month, evening if they live in Sheung Shui! And take vacation days in order to renew their visas.

[MovingIn07]

I cannot believe there is nobody making a fuss about this! No foreign newspaper or anything. It's quite incredible the stunning silence - since I doubt anyone in authority in China reads this site, how on earth are they going to know the inconvenience they are causing? Has anyone tried talking to the media?

[sp1key]

^ Because we are considered a minute.

This matter does not at all affect the Chinese citizens, Macao and Hong Kong citizens.

[Boris]

I emailed and got a reply from SCMP .
They informed me that they where the ones to break the story and attached two articles they had written. Says it all really.

I have posted myself on this point and although ( as reported on Geoexpat ) it is confirmed that lots of things are going on behind the scenes organs like SCMP should be driving this story hard instead of just sitting in the back seat.

If they did that then the International press would pick up on it and it would have a sufficient momentum to get the debacle into the public domain. I would ask the question - I have met jurnos at Geo events and there is an active FC pool here - so I share your view, where is the story ? Just think of the China bashing angles that could be gotten out.

[pin]

Originally Posted by Boris

I emailed and got a reply from SCMP .
They informed me that they where the ones to break the story and attached two articles they had written. Says it all really.

I have posted myself on this point and although ( as reported on Geoexpat ) it is confirmed that lots of things are going on behind the scenes organs like SCMP should be driving this story hard instead of just sitting in the back seat.

If they did that then the International press would pick up on it and it would have a sufficient momentum to get the debacle into the public domain. I would ask the question - I have met jurnos at Geo events and there is an active FC pool here - so I share your view, where is the story ? Just think of the China bashing angles that could be gotten out.

It's self preservation for the SCMP (or self censorship). They don't want to p*ss of the mainland authorities. We may or may not agree with it, but like many other things in HK we just have to live with it.

[via]

Originally Posted by Boris

I emailed and got a reply from SCMP .
They informed me that they where the ones to break the story and attached two articles they had written. Says it all really.

I have posted myself on this point and although ( as reported on Geoexpat ) it is confirmed that lots of things are going on behind the scenes organs like SCMP should be driving this story hard instead of just sitting in the back seat.

If they did that then the International press would pick up on it and it would have a sufficient momentum to get the debacle into the public domain. I would ask the question - I have met jurnos at Geo events and there is an active FC pool here - so I share your view, where is the story ? Just think of the China bashing angles that could be gotten out.

I know you say this mostly "tongue in cheek" and get your point. But 1000s of "proud" pro-China complaining already about "China bashing" coming from US, etc and other media. It is difficult/useless to say anything more without starting more shouting, pointing fingers. Many many "proud Chinese" and politics?