Guangdong rule urges residents to flush out foreigners who overstay

Guangdong's new regulation to tighten up rules on foreigners living and working there as it tries to crack down on illegal immigration could mean more harassment of foreigners and restrictions on their freedoms.

A provincial regulation, which takes effect on May 1, encourages people to report malpractice involving foreigners such as illegal entry, overstaying, working without permits or doing business without licences, local media reported yesterday.

The six-chapter, 67-article regulation - the first of its kind on the administration of foreigners on the mainland - stipulates that no one is allowed to provide accommodation, jobs, bank accounts, receipts, operating licences or commercial transport to foreigners who have overstayed or do not have valid passports.

Those who breach the rule will be fined three times the amount of the monthly rent they charge or a fine of up to 10,000 yuan (HK$11,860).

The regulation comes as a growing number of foreigners move to the booming province seeking employment and trade opportunities, according to local media.

But the regulation could result in harassment of foreigners, said Professor Adams Bodomo, of the University of Hong Kong's humanities department. 'They are turning almost every Guangzhou Chinese citizen or resident - including hotel staff, landlords, employers and neighbours - into immigration officers to enforce rather unfair and unclear immigration rules,' Bodomo said.

'There is virtually no clear path to residency and citizenship as you have in global cities like New York, Hong Kong and London. Guangzhou can never dream of being a global city until a modern-day civilised, humane, reasonable immigration policy is in place.'