With all the comments here about how this is really a silly non-story (a sentiment with which I agree), why and how is it getting upvoted so much such that it makes the front page?
The time I was turned away from China
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Re: The time I was turned away from China
#32I understand that the author is British and not American, but I couldn't help avoid a little bit of schadenfreude, sorry. As a Latino, every time I'd have to go in transit through US I'd face similar treatment by American customs. I hope this has improved but it's been more than 8 years I've been able to avoid any American airport. So, yep it sucks. But never mind, there are plenty of interesting countries in the wor…
Honestly I'd say the UK border is just as bad if not worse than that of the United States
As a US citizen, I flew to the UK to spend about a week with a friend from work while he showed me around central England. I had to show proof of my return flight to the states and my colleagues home address, phone number, etc.
Re: The time I was turned away from China
#33It is a classic example of "rule by law" which is in full effect in PRC. You're required to register within 24 hours at the "police station", no details of the said station, no opening hours or any further information is given. The process is quite slow, the queues are long, and the officials are visibly irritated every time you come and wake them up from their slumber. Then there are people flying 3-4 times per week…
Your hotel does it for you
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Re: The time I was turned away from China
#34Off topic: today I learned that Hong Kong Airlines is owned by HNA Group [1], a china company.
Re: The time I was turned away from China
#35>The reason, as it was explained to me, was that in 2015 I had broken Chinese law when I failed to present myself to authorities in Beijing when I had visited and stayed at an Airbnb residence on two different trips. Unbeknownst to me at the time — and something that was not communicated by Airbnb — foreigners are required to register at a local police station, but in most cases the hotels where they stay handle this…
Not just china. A few years back I flew from Vancouver to the RSA convention in SF. I was so put off by the hotel that had been booked for me that I didn't check in. That night I got a call on my cellphone from ICE as I had not checked in at the hotel I had listed on my entrance form. Nothing came of it. But they do check on these things.
Re: The time I was turned away from China
#36I feel it’s kind of shady in the first place to use a transit visa to cover tech events. Do this in the US, it’ll be worst.
The US is just weird, only country i know of that doesn't allow transit. Anywhere else you get off your plane, pass thru security and get back on your outgoing flight. The US seems too cheap to build outgoing immigration booths, and therefore doesn't have real international departure terminals like anywhere else on the planet. I means you can't transit the US without getting a visa
Aside from the inconvenience of clearing immigration on transit (and I can't say I've ever transited _through_ the US, despite clearing US immigration ~50), the airport experience is much nicer. International and domestic flights can leave from the same terminals, go through the same security, and use the same in-terminal facilities. You don't have to go through an outgoing passport control, so half the waiting time. I'm very happy with the system.
Re: The time I was turned away from China
#37With all the comments here about how this is really a silly non-story (a sentiment with which I agree), why and how is it getting upvoted so much such that it makes the front page?
Because a lot of people just upvote, and don't read the comments (or sometimes even the article). The title of the article is "interesting enough" to get an upvote.
Re: The time I was turned away from China
#38It is a classic example of "rule by law" which is in full effect in PRC. You're required to register within 24 hours at the "police station", no details of the said station, no opening hours or any further information is given. The process is quite slow, the queues are long, and the officials are visibly irritated every time you come and wake them up from their slumber. Then there are people flying 3-4 times per week…
For immigration purposes, Hong Kong is not in China, and doesn't have the same registration requirements as the mainland.
Re: The time I was turned away from China
#39>The reason, as it was explained to me, was that in 2015 I had broken Chinese law when I failed to present myself to authorities in Beijing when I had visited and stayed at an Airbnb residence on two different trips. Unbeknownst to me at the time — and something that was not communicated by Airbnb — foreigners are required to register at a local police station, but in most cases the hotels where they stay handle this…
I live in Japan for quite some time (multiple years) and never had to, or heard about, having to "register at local police station".
Re: The time I was turned away from China
#40He shouldn't have argued. He should have taken the 24 hours transit they first gave him, said thanks and gone on. Arguing means that now he was denied a visa and the immigration officer is more likely going to write copious notes about it leading to him being denied subsequent visas.
If you're ever in a similar situation, never argue. There's no way this will ever solve anything.
In some countries, the only way to maybe solve the situation is a bit of money under the table but that's also quite risky and you need to know the customs and ins and outs of the local law very well (not to mention that your home country might consider this to be illegal). And, it usually doesn't work in major airports since there's more control.