New U.S.-China Visa Policy a "Game-Changer"
Within a week of the extended US-China visa policy being announced, more than 7,000 10-year visas were issued to Chinese citizens by the US Consulate General in Shanghai. China Daily reporters explore the impact on both countries of what the White House called a "game changer".
Tourism expected to increase
The recipients were all smiles and so was the giver as camera flashes recorded the historic moment.
John Kerry, the US secretary of state, had just handed to Chinese residents the first batch of new 10-year tourist visas issued by the US embassy in Beijing.
"This will pay huge dividendsfor American and Chinese citizens, and it will strengthen both of our economies," he said.
Two days earlier, on the very day the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting held in Beijing ended, President Barack Obamaannounced that China and the United States had reached an agreement on a reciprocal 10-year visa that allowsmultiple entries for tourists and businessmen and gives students of both countries five-year visas.
The new policy will "benefit everyone", he said.
Since the policy went into effect, major Chinese travel agencies, such as Ctrip, Qunar.com and China Travel Service, have been designing and marketing new travel products.
Visa change pleases students
Wang Zixuan, a 22-year-old PhD candidate in clinical psychology at George Washington University, was at the university's library when she learned about the announcement of the new visa policy between China and the US.
She immediately put down her cell phone and went online.
"Over the past week, this was the most heated topic. Many of my friendsare tweeting related articles on WeChat," she said. "This policy is related to every one of us (Chinese students), and we are all quite happy to see the change. Obviously it will be a big convenience."
Under the new policy that took effect Nov 12, student visa will be extended to five years from one year.
Wang started her doctorate program in the US in 2013. Now she is on a three-year visa. If the new visa policy had not gone into effect, she would have had to return to China to renew her visa to continue her student life in the US.
LA's 'China-Ready' is ready
For Los Angeles, the largest and fastest-growing overseas market for Chinese travelers, the new visa policy is expected to be a huge boom for its tourism and hospitality industries.
Last year alone, some 570,000 Chinese nationals visited the city and spent $955 million. And that visitor number is expected to increase nearly 30 percent by 2016 as the new visa agreement eliminates the burdensome and expensive task of applying for visas annually.
Earlier this year, L.A. Tourism - the city's official tourism marketing organization - launched the China-Ready Training & Designation program to help Los Angeles hospitality providers capture a greater share of US inbound Chinese visitors by better understanding the cultural needsand desires of Chinese visitors.
New policy seen as boom to business
Five passports, 37 US visas, about three to four visits a year
Since 1993, Li Qiusheng, a Tianjin-based clockmaker, has traveled frequently to the US for marketing.
"In 1996, I set up an office in the United States and employed three Americans for sales work," said Li, 61. "However, when the business was about to boom, I had to close the office because I failed to get a timely visa."
Li had forgotten to prepare a piece of paperwork that the embassy required. "As I had to document every year, it was easy to make careless mistakes," Li recalled.
Source: Chinadaily.com.cn
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/us/2014-11/21/content_18957296.htm