Guangdong grants Chinese "Green Card" to 6 foreigners

Guangdong provincial Public Security Departments held an initial issuing ceremony of Alien Permanent Residence Permits in capital city of Guangzhou and officially granted the first batch of Alien Permanent Resident Card (Chinese "Green Card") to applicants. The case of application of Chinese "Green Card" by Chinese-American Xu Diejing and other six foreigners accepted and handled by Guangdong Municipal Public Security Bureau has got official approval from Ministry of Public Security, and the six applicants have become the first group of foreigners that have obtained the Alien Permanent Resident Card in Guangdong province.

Last August, Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang and Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing jointly signed the 74th decree, which marked the implementation of Methods of Examination, approval and management on Alien Permanent Residence Permits in China. The decree was hailed as an important measure taken by the Chinese government to meet the new situation of economic globalization, further accelerate the process of reform and opening up, enhance the exchange between China and the world as well as regulate the permanent residence permits for foreigners.

The period of validity of Alien Permanent Resident Card has two kinds: ten years and five years. Foreigners granted with cards need not to apply for relevant visas and could exit and enter China unimpeded within the validity of the cards.

Guangdong is among the provinces that first adopted the reform and opening up policy. Thanks to the geographic advantages, close to HK and Macao SARs, Guangdong province has frequent exchanges with foreign countries. According to the incomplete statistics, the permanent foreign residents in Guangdong province stood at 35,000, and temporary foreign residents approached one million. The formulation of Methods of Examination, approval and management on Alien Permanent Residence Permits in China evoked strong repercussion among the foreigners, who praise the launch of "Green Card" system by the Chinese government encouraged foreigners to invest, work and study in China.

Official with Exit and Entry Management Section under Guangdong provincial Public Security Department noted that Guangdong police will vigorously promote the implementation of Alien Permanent Resident Card system, providing foreigners who invest, work or study in China with good and efficient service.

Provincial government hopes more foreigners to invest, work on scientific and cultural activities in Guangdong, pushing forward the cause of developing Guangdong into a prosperous and harmonious society.

By People's Daily Online