CHINESE police began a 100-day campaign
Tuesday, May 15, to lay a legal smackdown on any foreigner living or working in
the country illegally.
In an
effort to crack down on the number of “illegal aliens” in the country who are
working without the proper visas, have overstayed their visas or entered the
country unlawfully, the police will reportedly be checking passports and
residency registration documents. They’ve even enlisted the help of locals, using
the Chinese microblogging service weibo to encourage people to report neighbors
or colleagues known to be in the country under shady circumstances.
According
to China
Daily, police will target neighborhoods known to attract large numbers of
foreigners, including expat enclave Sanlitun, where everyone does their
late-night partying. University districts are also more likely to draw a
watchful eye.
The
move comes after several months of shifts in visa laws and has officially been
declared a response to the number of illegal workers in China, including
English teachers, housekeepers and laborers.
However,
the crackdown falls close on the heels of an alleged attempted rape case that
drew headlines last week. An onlooker captured a video of what appears to be a
British man assaulting a Chinese woman until passersby stop him and beat him to
the ground. (More on that case here)
Some
bloggers hinted that this incident prompted the hardline campaign, butwarnings of a crackdown were
being reported before the assault incident took place. Speculation has
circulated in the expat community about the motivation for the campaign, with
no clear consensus. The mandate to carry one’s passport and residency documents
is nothing new, it’s just not regularly enforced — until, supposedly, now.
Casual
travelers to the Middle Kingdom should fare just fine as long as they have
their visas in order and don’t overstay their visit. If you are planning to travel
here within the next three months, however, make sure to check in with someone
at your hostel or hotel about registering at the local police station upon
arrival. Best to have the proper documentation on you to avoid a hassle.
An
editor at The Beijinger, a popular expat magazine, offered
this advice to readers:
“Check
the date on your visa, make sure you’ve got your housing registration form (and
if you haven’t, get down to the PSB now and sort it out), and we’d also
recommend carrying photocopies of the photo and visa pages from your passport,
as well as a copy of your housing registration form. It’s not cool, but it will
save you trouble”
Meanwhile,
the voice behind the satirical Twitter account The Relevant Organs, which is jokingly billed
as “China’s soft-powered vanguard, rectifying your thought since 2010,” gave a
snarkier, if more humorous, response:
Abuse
of the new "report-a-foreigner" tip line will be severely punished
with cash prizes and gift certificates.
REMINDER:
Even if foreigners don't have valid documents, it's still technically illegal
to beat them if anyone is watching.
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