China takes countermeasures on US visa procedure

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, March 31, 2004

China takes countermeasures on US visa procedure

China decided on Tuesday to take countermeasures against the US decision to fingerprint most Chinese who will go to the United States.

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China decided on Tuesday to take countermeasures against the US decision to fingerprint most Chinese who will go to the United States.

The measures include granting ordinary visas and levying a visafee for US personnel who hold diplomatic or service passports who are traveling for personal purposes according to their intention and requiring interviews with some US citizens who are applying for visas to China in the Chinese embassy and consulates.

The decision also banned US citizens from applying for visas upon their arrival, noting that the visa application must have been granted before they enter China.

On March 22, the US embassy in China started to collect the fingerprints of Chinese who will go to the United States. The other US consulates in China will follow up, according to the US embassy.

The US practice was targeted at most visa applicants from the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, and excluded Canada and 27 countries in Europe.

In another development, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told reporters at a regular news conference Tuesday that US Vice-President Dick Cheney will visit China in April at the invitation of Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong.

The agenda and schedule of Cheney's visit is not complete, said Kong, who promised to brief the media when they are fixed later this week or early next week.

Kong expressed hope that Cheney's visit will further enhance understanding, expand common consensus, narrow differences and promote co-operation between the two sides.

The spokesman also said China strongly condemned the terrorist attacks and blasts in the Uzbek capital Tashkent on Sunday and on Monday.

Combating terrorism is the common consensus of the international community, said Kong. China firmly supports the fight against terrorism in Uzbekistan and other countries.

At least 19 people were killed and 26 others injured in a series of terrorist blasts in Uzbekistan on Sunday and Monday, reports said.

In a message to his Uzbek counterpart Sadyk Safayev over the terrorist attacks and blasts Tuesday, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing expressed condolences for those killed in the attacks and sympathy with the families of the victims.

Li stressed that the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism pose a severe threat to peace and stability in the region.

China is willing to boost co-operation with the international community, including Uzbekistan, in fighting terrorism, Li said.

Answering an inquiry on Chinese Minister of National Defence Cao Gangchuan's tour to India, Kong said the visit will further promote Sino-Indian military co-operation and bilateral ties.

The Sino-Indian exchanges and co-operation in military and national defence fields has strengthened and expanded constantly, and bilateral relations have also witnessed comprehensive development, he said.

Kong said Cao, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councillor, paid an important visit to three Asian countries, namely Pakistan, India and Thailand, and during his visit, Cao will meet governmental and military leaders of the three countries, and exchange views on issues of common concern.

The spokesman also said Ban Ki-moon, minister of foreign affairs and trade of the Republic of Korea (ROK), made a short but fruitful visit to China.

During Ban's visit, China and the ROK exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties, and reached consensus on further promoting co-operation in various fields between the two countries, Kong said.

He said the two sides also reached agreed to start a working group as soon as possible to make preparation for the third round of six-party talks.

Source: Xinhua/China Daily

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