Chinese authorities tighten checks of tourists entering country
MOSCOW. May 27 (Interfax) - China has introduced new methods of controlling the entry of foreign tourists into the territory of the country, they envisage individual interviews and inspections of the contents of cell phones, the Russian Consulate General in Guangzhou said.
"Upon an entry or transit via China's international airports located within the consular district of the Russian Consulate General in Guangzhou, the migration authorities are taking relevant spot check measures, including individual interviews and inspections of the contents of cell phones, such as video and photo materials, electronic documents, messages in Wechat, WhatsUp, Vibers, and others, as part of the implementation of measures to detect the discrepancies between the issued visas and an actual purpose of visits," it said.
If, in the Chinese side's view, any compromising information is found, the relevant Chinese authorities may make a decision on prohibition of the entry to the country.
According to the Consulate General, if the migration service finds the discrepancies between visas and an actual purpose of a tourist's visit, the tourist is sent to a specialized room, and consular employees or airline representatives are not allowed access there. Food is provided once. The tourist is being detained until the return to the country of arrival on a next available flight.
"In this regard, we request Russian citizens to adhere to the requirements of the Chinese migration legislation and be prepared for inspections on the border in advance. We expect the Russian citizens, who face the entry ban, to inform the Consulate General about the circumstances," it said.