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| Tuesday, 3 December 2002 |
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The Government of the People's Republic of China will impose tough new measures to deal with persons attempting to use the country as an illegal transit point to western countries. A fine of Renminbi 500/- (Rs. 5327/-) per day is levied for the first 10 days upon detection. Thereafter, a flat fine of Renminbi 5000/- (Rs. 58,263/-) is payable to the Public Security Bureau in order to obtain an exit visa to leave the country, the Foreign Ministry said in a release. Chinese authorities have also discontinued the previous practice of issuing exit visa immediately on application. Now, such illegal immigrants have to wait an undetermined number of days to obtain exist visas. Additionally, in certain instances, they also face the possibility of arrest, the release said. From January to November 2002 approximately 50 Sri Lankans have entered China illegally. Some of them who have been arrested at various places in the country are awaiting the processing of their applications without knowing when exit visas would be issued. Being on limited budgets has made their stay considerably difficult, as they have to fend for themselves where food, accommodation and other basic necessities are concerned. It is impossible to obtain accommodation without a valid passport. Some of the stranded persons claim that they had paid Rs. 300,000, whereas others had paid as much as Rs. 700,000 to human traffickers to reach their destinations via China. Having brought them to the mainland and removing their travel documents, these agents decamp, leaving their victims to fend for themselves. With the Chinese authorities taking a tough stand towards the illicit immigrants, these persons will be stranded in China for an undetermined period until such time their exit visas are issued by the authorities, the release adds. |
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