For those asking why... it could be that the Chinese government got word of some kind of terrorist plot involving liquids being shipped internationally and therefore are testing everything to death... or... well the Chinese government has a tendency of doing strange things that end up hurting their own people. For example, a few years ago a new policy was put into effect in South Korean by the Chinese government for Visa processing.
In the past I would go to the Embassy get a 1 year multiple entry visa (for about 35USD) and pick up my passport a week later. China and the US had a little spat (US made it harder for Chinese to enter the US) so China raised their rates to over 200USD for a visa (regardless of type, they were all the same). Understandable diplomatic version of kids on a playground (happens all the time, with all countries). Didn't bother me much, I would still get my 1 year multiple entry visa every year, just cost a little more.
Then one day, China changed the rules for foreigners in Korea getting a visa. Now they must have at least 6 months left on their alien card (most have a 1 year card) in order to get the visa. In Korea (and only in Korea) they will only issue up to a double entry 6 month visa (Koreans can still get the longer ones). You also have to go through an authorized travel agent (who charges an extra 20 bucks to walk your passport into the embassy). Oh, and they make you give them your passport AND alien card (which puts the foreigner in violation of Korean law, as you are required to have one of those two on you at all times).
End result has been, people in Korean don't go to China very much any more. There are 10s of thousands of english teachers here a year, most stay for just one year. Most would take a trip on their way out of the country, seeing the Great Wall was one of the stops on their way back home. They can't do that anymore due to China's own policies (impossible to have a visa after you leave Korea). I used to go 4-5 times a year (friend lives over here) now it's more like 1-2 times because I can't have my 1 year multiple entry visa anymore (unless I go to another country to get it).
So... what's my point? Don't bother asking why, logic doesn't seem to factor into these types of decisions.
(Not intended to be taken as an attack or insult on the Chinese, only that the government doesn't seem to think things through all the time... which could probably be said for most governments).
In the past I would go to the Embassy get a 1 year multiple entry visa (for about 35USD) and pick up my passport a week later. China and the US had a little spat (US made it harder for Chinese to enter the US) so China raised their rates to over 200USD for a visa (regardless of type, they were all the same). Understandable diplomatic version of kids on a playground (happens all the time, with all countries). Didn't bother me much, I would still get my 1 year multiple entry visa every year, just cost a little more.
Then one day, China changed the rules for foreigners in Korea getting a visa. Now they must have at least 6 months left on their alien card (most have a 1 year card) in order to get the visa. In Korea (and only in Korea) they will only issue up to a double entry 6 month visa (Koreans can still get the longer ones). You also have to go through an authorized travel agent (who charges an extra 20 bucks to walk your passport into the embassy). Oh, and they make you give them your passport AND alien card (which puts the foreigner in violation of Korean law, as you are required to have one of those two on you at all times).
End result has been, people in Korean don't go to China very much any more. There are 10s of thousands of english teachers here a year, most stay for just one year. Most would take a trip on their way out of the country, seeing the Great Wall was one of the stops on their way back home. They can't do that anymore due to China's own policies (impossible to have a visa after you leave Korea). I used to go 4-5 times a year (friend lives over here) now it's more like 1-2 times because I can't have my 1 year multiple entry visa anymore (unless I go to another country to get it).
So... what's my point? Don't bother asking why, logic doesn't seem to factor into these types of decisions.
(Not intended to be taken as an attack or insult on the Chinese, only that the government doesn't seem to think things through all the time... which could probably be said for most governments).
