Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

The time I was turned away from China

techcrunch.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

111–117 of 117 posts

Re: The time I was turned away from China

#111

Post by toomanybeersies »

titanix2 wrote: post #46
griffinheart wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live in Japan for quite some time (multiple years) and never had to, or heard about, having to "register at local police station".

It’s not at the police station but you still have to register at the ward office when you’re moving to a new city. Also as a "fun" fact, residence cards features the logo of the ministry of justice. Just like if all foreigners were criminal with such a high probability that this minister handle the matter from the beginning.

Meanwhile, I managed to move from New Zealand to Australia and didn't have to fill in a single form.

Re: The time I was turned away from China

#112

Post by eddz »

ioro wrote: post #90
eddz wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sorry, but I fail to see your point. This does not have anything to do with his sexual relationships so I am unsure of why you are making that analogy. It is completely usual to have to declare your place of residence to an immigration officer upon entry to a foreign country, wherever you are visiting. If you are suspected of wrongdoing, expect calls to be made and questions to be asked. It is entirely the travel…

It's usual to declare where you are staying, it isn't usual to have to register with the local authorities in every place you do. I do accept it, countries have different rules and cultures. Foreigners do end up breaking such local rules when going abroad, including the Chinese. But doing so shouldn't result in being banished from the country. Imagine driving into Austria without a toll sticker and no longer being ab…

It may be annoying or inconvenient, but China is not the only country a requirement to register with the local authorities. The fact that it applies to all types of visas may throw some travelers off. Still, it is their responsibility to make sure (preferably before arrival) that the requirements for entry are met.

When you break the rules (intentionally or not), you're taking a risk. Some people get off unnoticed whereas others learn the hard way. Ask people familiar with the country and its laws before arrival and plan your trip properly.

Re: The time I was turned away from China

#113

Post by eddz »

abc-xyz wrote: post #104
hrowaway183 wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The only terrible point of view I see is yours. Claiming to be morally superior because you view the law is not to your advantage. The rules are there for a country to keep track visitors. They exist elsewhere as well.

Most people rely on common sense when they travel - don't do drugs, don't steal, don't engage in physical fights, etc. And in my eyes, that's the only way. Are you saying you read the millions of laws of the country whenever you travel somewhere? Laws that may not even be available in English. Tell me, which countries have you visited throughout your life, and what does the law state regarding staying at an AirBNB re…

I have experience of Thailand and Japan so can chime in.

Thailand does not require registration, but authorities prevent travelers from re-entering shortly after their stay (cracking down on "visa runs") which has caught some tourists/nomads off guard. The strictest punishment is banishment for a maximum of 10 (IIRC) years.

Like China, Japan requires registration with the local city office if you are staying with a long-term visa. Although it should be noted that China applies this to all visa types whereas Japan allows tourists to stay without registration. Failing to register with the local Japanese city office can result in banishment.

As with registration in China, you are not told this information upon entry of these countries. If you blindly travel you will be caught out (and usually punished). However, asking around and doing the research before you travel can prevent that from happening.

Re: The time I was turned away from China

#114

Post by eddz »

abc-xyz wrote: post #103
eddz wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sorry, but I fail to see your point. This does not have anything to do with his sexual relationships so I am unsure of why you are making that analogy. It is completely usual to have to declare your place of residence to an immigration officer upon entry to a foreign country, wherever you are visiting. If you are suspected of wrongdoing, expect calls to be made and questions to be asked. It is entirely the travel…

So whenever you visit a country then you spend several months reading up on all their local laws? Do they even have an official English version, or do you hire a translator? Here's a question for you, what's the Chinese law regarding the use of a VPN/proxy? Does the law differ based on when/where you used the VPN and what it was used for? The sexual relationships is relevant because foreigners in China have a reputat…

Well, usually I will ask friends or colleagues who have experience of that country. But if not then yes, I will spend an evening reading up on the country and its rules/customs while planning my trip. I don't know a sensible traveler who doesn't.

Re: The time I was turned away from China

#115

Post by abc-xyz »

eddz wrote: post #113
abc-xyz wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most people rely on common sense when they travel - don't do drugs, don't steal, don't engage in physical fights, etc. And in my eyes, that's the only way. Are you saying you read the millions of laws of the country whenever you travel somewhere? Laws that may not even be available in English. Tell me, which countries have you visited throughout your life, and what does the law state regarding staying at an AirBNB re…

I have experience of Thailand and Japan so can chime in. Thailand does not require registration, but authorities prevent travelers from re-entering shortly after their stay (cracking down on "visa runs") which has caught some tourists/nomads off guard. The strictest punishment is banishment for a maximum of 10 (IIRC) years. Like China, Japan requires registration with the local city office if you are staying with a l…

Why would they want to crack down on visa runs? Those people doesn't take any jobs from the locals, and I'd assume they spend as much as any other foreigners.. seems like a win-win?

I've spent about 10 years living in various Asian countries, including China, and I have never met anyone who would bother to register whenever they changed apartment. I'm also certain if I asked all my contacts in China, then none of them would know anything about it.. and I'm talking about hundreds of people, including students/professors at their best universities. You greatly overestimate the amount of info you can get by doing research/asking around when you go abroad.

Re: The time I was turned away from China

#116

Post by abc-xyz »

eddz wrote: post #114
abc-xyz wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So whenever you visit a country then you spend several months reading up on all their local laws? Do they even have an official English version, or do you hire a translator? Here's a question for you, what's the Chinese law regarding the use of a VPN/proxy? Does the law differ based on when/where you used the VPN and what it was used for? The sexual relationships is relevant because foreigners in China have a reputat…

Well, usually I will ask friends or colleagues who have experience of that country. But if not then yes, I will spend an evening reading up on the country and its rules/customs while planning my trip. I don't know a sensible traveler who doesn't.

Spending an evening reading up on the country may result in you becoming familiar with the punishment of insulting the Thai king, or the risk of engaging in protests or anything political in China, but that's about it.. regarding China, you can't even Google the laws concerning VPN/proxy. You even give an example yourself of you failing to read up on the rules. There are millions of laws, many of which are not even available in English. You can't possibly expect people to become familiar with countries laws.. that would take months and you could still get fucked for no reason. People rely on common sense, and common sense tells you that if AirBNB is available in X country and you have no problem booking the apartment, then that's that.

Re: The time I was turned away from China

#117

Post by nicolas_t »

cocoa19 wrote: post #50
nicolas_t wrote: post #40

He 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 ma…

On the news: "Techcrunch employees bribe Chinese officials". That kind of negative PR can destroy companies.

Oh should have been clearer, bribing would not be recommended in a major airport and not so much in China (where it's more a question of guanxi)
Post reply on HN