Record Number of Nationals Went AbroadAccording to statistics from the State Exit-Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security by February 12, passport holders going on personal affairs abroad from China's mainland totaled over 4.97 million persons/times in 2000, up 15.7% over 4.294 million /times previous year. Of these, 3.109 million/times went on a multitude of personal errands, a 7.9% rise over the previous year; 1.772 million/times on a trip to Hong Kong and Macao, up 34.2%; and 89,000 people/times for personal affairs to Taiwan, somewhat less than 1999.Last year, the Ministry of Public Security released its Regulations on Examination and Approval of Ordinary Passports in simplifying relevant procedures for business pursuits, labor service and employment abroad and for these an exodus of 214,000 /times had been seen to show an 81.4% increase. People went on a visit to call on their relatives and friends rose to 59,300/times, up 10.8%. Some 62,000 immigrated abroad, a 6.9% more. With these, 85,000 students, about an equivalent 1999, went for advanced study abroad. The year 2000 saw a record number of nationals leaving for Hong Kong and Macao SARs, including 246,000/times for doing business, up 130.3%, and 996,000/times on a trip, up 28.7%. In addition, 473,000 and 28,000 went to call on their relatives or friends respectively in Hong Kong and Macao SARs. Some 56,000 and 3,977 migrated to live in Hong Kong and Macao respectively. By PD Online staff member Yin Zhili |
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