The Public Security Bureau in Hangzhou, the provincial capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, recently opened a website to enable overseas people to apply for a Chinese visa through the Internet.

This is part of the city's effort to simplify the procedures for obtaining Chinese visas. The website, http://crj.zj.cninfo.net, was opened by the Exit and Entry Administration of the bureau, and there people can also find information on rules and regulations concerning exit and entry procedures and certificates needed for visa applications. Applicants can also use the Internet to fill in forms and make appointments to get a visa.

In addition, according to new regulations issued recently by the bureau, any citizens in Hangzhou with a bank deposit of over 50,000 yuan (about US$ 6,000) can apply for personal passports, making it far easier for local people to travel abroad.