Further restrictions on Chinese travel visas

The Chinese government has imposed further restrictions on travel visas applied for in Hong Kong, making it more difficult to visit China as the Olympic festival in Beijing looms.

Last week China stopped issuing multiple-entry visas and now it will be necessary for applicants to show a copy of travel tickets into and out of the country as well as a hotel voucher, the AFP news agency reports.

Hong Kong travel agents have said China visa applications will be rejected without this supporting documentation.

In addition, citizens of many countries will now no longer be able to apply for a visa in Hong Kong, which is a popular place to arrange travel into China and has a separate legal and visa system from the mainland.

Nationals from nearly 30 countries, including Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, will have to apply at the Chinese embassy in their home capital.

The Hong Kong Chinese Foreign Ministry website states there has been a "recent drastic rise" in visa applications and directs non-Hong Kong residents to apply in their home or resident country.