While Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao talks tough at the White House about the Bush administration's recent protectionist attacks on United States imports of Chinese-made bras and electronics, a thornier issue over harsh visa rules is creating real problems for many Chinese trying to build business and cultural ties with America.
The US crackdown on its methods for granting visas following the attacks of September 11, 2001 is preventing many Chinese business delegations, local government officials and artists from visiting the US.
Since April, the US has required China's Public Affairs Passport (PAP) holders to attend interviews when they apply for visas, in line with a global anti-terrorism policy. PAP holders had previously been granted an exemption.
As mainlanders who have applied for US visas will attest, these interviews, held at US consulates, are far from formalities. There often seems to be little obvious reason or consistency behind decisions to grant or deny visas. As a result, many planned US trips by provincial, city and county officials, and heads of state-owned and big private companies who hold such passports, have been cancelled or postponed.
The Sars outbreak, and the resulting slump in travel, initially masked the effect, but now it is being acknowledged by many US-based organisations due to host Chinese visitors.
'On the one hand the Americans complain we don't buy their stuff, yet on the other their visa application process stops our people from visiting the US. Isn't it ridiculous?' said an official at the Consulate General of China in New York, who declined to be named.