China to Straighten Out Border Exit ServicesTo combat human smuggling and irregularities in border exit services, China has decided to clean up intermediary bodies engaged in border entrance and exit services, according to a State Council decree published Friday, December 1.The Ministry of Public Security and four other government departments held a national teleconference Friday on pushing for a permit system for border control and removing any bodies without government approval. The number of Chinese citizens going abroad for personal reasons has been rising year on year, and many service bodies thrived because the government relaxed control on citizens going abroad, said Zhao Yongji, vice-minister of Public Security. "But some organizations have been found to engage in counterfeiting, reselling passports and visas, or committing the crime of smuggling humans abroad," he said. "Some have swindled exorbitant amount of money from clients and absconded to foreign countries, leaving great hazards to the society," he pointed out. A government permit system promulgated today requires that all intermediary agencies in border entrance and exit services must be first examined by government offices at provincial level and approved by relevant departments of the State Council. These agencies must also have a certain amount of premium in case the legitimate rights of their clients are violated. Their services include the providing of information, legal counseling, visa applications and liaison work with foreign parties on citizens' personal affairs, such as migration, visiting relatives and friends, studying abroad and employment. According to the meeting, those already registered with the government must reapply to government offices before operating. "The main target of the crackdown campaign will be on those with no permanent office, no funds and no proper organization," the vice-minister said. More regulations are being worked out on intermediary agencies and foreign employment agencies to provide procedures on qualification verification, examination, ratification and supervision, he added. Officials with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labor and Social Security and State Administration for Industry and Commerce attended the teleconference. China began to simplify its procedures for citizens going abroad early this year. According to the new amendments, a local citizen requires US$4,000 to apply for a passport to travel or study abroad. Those wishing to go abroad on self-funded trips need to show their acceptance notices from a foreign university when applying for a passport. Procedures for working and doing business in foreign countries have also been simplified. |
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