The American Chamber of Commerce in China said that a US-China travel fast-track program, which allows for US businesspeople and their families to more easily travel to China amid the pandemic, based on consensus reached during the two countries’ leaders’ summit last year, officially becomes effective from Thursday.
The program aims to provide a more efficient, predictable, and reliable channel for essential US company executives, technical personnel, and their dependents to enter China, AmCham China said in a statement sent to the Global Times on Thursday.
During the China-US leaders’ summit, China agreed to upgrade a fast-track arrangement to make it more convenient for the US business community to travel to China, prompting a positive response from American business circles.
According to the chamber, the program will enable qualified member companies to apply for a PU, or permission, letter from their local municipality and receive a reduced processing time and an increased likelihood of approval. Employees can then apply for a visa from their appropriate overseas Chinese embassy or consulate.
The announcement represents rapid progress from December 8, when the chamber said the program has been approved by relevant Chinese authorities, and was working with various local Foreign Affairs Offices (FAOs) in locations where its members are based to confirm and finalize invitation letter and visa details.
A seperate FAQ document also listed specific eligibility requirements for applying for the fast-track program and costs for participating in the program. The administrative fee for each PU letter application is 7,000 yuan ($1099.2)
In terms of the quarantine rules, travelers are required to adhere to China’s entry and health requirements. The requirements could change as conditions warrant. Quarantine hotels are designated by local authorities and travelers under the program will not receive any special treatment with regards to quarantine, read the document.
As bilateral trade between China and the US remains on an upward trend despite the pandemic, a fast-track program is necessary for the exploration of business activities between the two nations, experts said.
The total trade value between China and the US hit $682.32 billion from January to November in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 30.2 percent, Chinese customs data showed. China also maintains its position as the second-largest trading partner of the US after the European Union.
China US Photo:GT
