The Beijing municipal government will abolish a stipulation sometime this year that requires people from overseas to stay only in hotels officially designated for overseas tourists.
The decision aims to bring Beijing closer to standard international practice, following China's entry into the World Trade Organization, the Science and Technology Daily reported Tuesday.
Relevant departments in Beijing are joining efforts to set up an internal computing network to share information and offer services. When the network goes into operation, the outmoded stipulation will be abolished.
By then, people from abroad visiting Beijing are expected to enjoy the same treatment as local residents. They can also reside at the home of local residents as long as they apply at the local police department before hand.
Previously, overseas tourists in Beijing were required to stay at hotels designated by the public security departments.
(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2003)
