via WikipediaThe Shanghai Daily confirms a rumor that was also twittering around: the Shanghai police will check more regularly the visas of foreigners from tomorrow.FOREIGNERS in Shanghai should carry their passports with them for random checks by police, according to the Exit-Entry Administration of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau.While there would be routine checks at the border, at airports or hotels, in Shanghai it would be rather uncommon for the police to enter public places to check passports or do so on the street at random.
I remember one incident at Park'97, one of the first really popular places, indeedfrom 1997, in Fuxing Park where the police came in and started to check on passports. To the mutual embarrassment of both the police officers and the foreign guests, almost nobody could produce a passport. We never heard of a similar exercise since then, but perhaps times are changing.
3 comments:
it will be interesting to know where and how these checks will take place (if at all)
In f.e. Holland the police officially is not allowed to make at random checks in places like a shop or restaurant. There should be a reason, f.e. suspect behaviour. Just being a foreigner is not a valid reason te be checked.
for me and a few of my friend in Shanghai, we got the surprise to found police at the entrance of our compound the morning checking all the passport and visa from all the foreigner living there.
Some of my friends also get the police visiting their flat to check.
And in our building, they was a poster in English telling to all foreigner that they need to go to the police station within 24h after entering China.
It is getting more and more strict... But I will still not carry my original passport in order to be sure not to loose it (or get stolen). I will just take copy of it... if they really want the original one, i welcome them to follow me to my flat.
Travel 101 stipulates that you should never carry your passport with you opting burial in the backpack/safe as a preferred course of action for such an important document.
Anyone who does so is placing themselves in a very risky situation should a theft/loss occur (unless they happen to originate from a fantasy country where passports/visas are replaced within minutes following a visit to their friendly and always helpful embassy).
Photos copies will suffice.
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