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China: New Visa Regulations for U.S. Citizens, Earthquake Tourism in Sichuan

No Comments | May 6th, 2009 | Trackback

Authorities changed visa regulations for U.S. citizens May 3 in response to the swine flu outbreak. All visa applications will now require six business days to process, possibly because the U.S. has the second highest rate of swine flu infection. Express or rush services have been suspended. In other news, a year after the devastating May 12 earthquake struck Sichuan, the hard hit areas are rebuilding and three counties are creating tourist attractions out of the ruins. A state museum park about the earthquake is also planned. For the May 1 holiday, thousands of tourists swarmed the area, filling the hotels and prompting officials in the town of Anchang to urge others to turn back.