Visa policy 'is based on global practices'

The Foreign Ministry yesterday denied that China had stopped issuing multi-entry visas to foreigners, insisting that visa issue procedures continue to be convenient.

Applications are being scrutinized more carefully, spokesman Qin Gang said, adding that the new procedures are based on practices during previous Olympics and other large-scale international sports events.

"It does not mean all multiple-entry visas have been suspended," he told a regular news briefing.