Concerns about new China visa rules for Rwandans

Editor,Reference is made to the story, ‘China issues new visa rules” published in The New Times of Thursday, April 19, 2012. In the story, it was stated that the Chinese Embassy in Kigali had tightened measures for all Rwandans seeking Visa to China. In past days, the Rwandan police arrested people suspected of trafficking Rwandans to China for sexual salary. This, however, does not mean that all Rwandans who apply for Visa to go to China are involved in bad activities. The fact is that, Visa is applied for different purposes namely Visit, Business, Study, and Tourism, among others. The decision to tighten the conditions/procedures to obtain Chinese Visa for Rwandans, will strongly affect the flow of Rwandans who are used to travel to China, especially for business purposes. In my view, the new visa rules to China should not be applied to all visa applicants. Instead, I suggest that the Embassy of China to Rwanda reconsider the decision and instead focus on putting in place appropriate measures against suspected traffickers.Ange Sebutege

Opinions

Concerns about new China visa rules for Rwandans