The national capital is planning to completely lift dwelling
restrictions that have been imposed on foreigners in Beijing for
more than half a century.
By
Oct. 1, all requirements on foreigners to stay in designated hotels
will be eliminated. Foreigners can choose any hotel they like,
except for those in non-open areas or military areas, said the
city's public security bureau.
A
trial program to that end reportedly began in the city's eight
urban districts on May 28.
In
the past, foreigners in the capital had to dwell in hotels or
apartments specially designated by the city government.
To
date, there are over 300 such designated hotels in Beijing, which
received more than 3.1 million overseas guests in 2002.
By
late 2002, there were 17,200 registered foreign funded enterprises
and business offices, with more than 50,000 foreigners living or
working in Beijing.
(People's Daily May 30, 2003)