A policeman stops a vehicle at a checkpoint in Beijing. (Photo : www.rfa.org)
Foreigners on self-drive tours who ignore warnings not to approach military zones will be investigated by the police, China's tourism regulator announced on its official website on Wednesday, Aug. 26, the Global Times reported.
Prior to that, on Aug. 18, the ministries of public security and foreign affairs, General Administration of Customs, National Tourism Administration and the General Staff Headquarters of People's Liberation Army, issued the notice to toughen regulations on foreign nationals who bring their vehicles into China for self-drive tours.
According to the latest notice, foreigners will be asked to leave if they illegally drive into prohibited military zones, garrisons or its surrounding areas. Taking of photos, film or map of military facilities is also prohibited. Offenders will be detained and their equipment will also be confiscated by the police, the notice said.
The regulation also asked relevant tour companies to accompany foreigners during their tours to ensure that they obey Chinese laws and regulations.
The report said that the requirements are also applicable to nationals from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
"The new rules mark a step forward from the existing regulations for self-driving foreigners. Previously, foreigners were only required to apply for permission six months before they make the trip," Yu Liangbing, general manager from China Cyts Tous, a tour agency, told the Global Times.
Yu, however, noted that only a small number of foreigners bring their own vehicles for a tour in China, and only some self-drive clubs or activity organizers would bring cars to the mainland for tours.
Yu said that the government should look closely on foreigners who enter China and hire vehicles for tours since there are no established regulations to monitor them.
On September 8, a Japanese national was caught along the Qinling Mountains in Qingyang, Gansu Province, illegally surveying and mapping the place. According to Chinese Business View, the Japanese man disguised himself as a tourist and hired local cars and drivers.
