While we've been inundated by news of the ethnic tensions between Uyghurs and Hans, it seems like there's another ethnicity that feels its not getting fair treatment in China - Nigerians. In Guangzhou, the death of a Nigerian who was trying to escape a police visa check allegedly triggered a 200-strong protest by angry Africans. Emmanul Egisimba, a clothes seller, had been trading at the Tangqi Foreign Trade Clothes Plaza in central Guangzhou when plainclothes police started checking visas in the area. He ran but was cornered on the second floor, 18 meters above ground. So he decided to jump, allegedly to his death. The protest, which was as much over “tight visa controls” thanks to the 60th anniversary as it was over Egisimba's sad demise, is believed to be the first by foreigners anywhere on the mainland. Source: SCMP more ›

As if it wasn't annoying enough already that the 60th anniversary was going to give us visa problems, China's now allegedly using swine flu as a reason to tighten visa rules for citizens from the United States. According to the AP, a May 3 notice said that all U.S. visa applications, including tourist and business categories, will now require six business days to process - express and rush services will be suspended until further notice. Applicants will also need to fill out a form declaring which countries and U.S. states they have visited in the last two weeks. China has denied discriminating against specific countries and insisted that “the adjustment of visa policy will not affect the normal entry of foreigners and exchanges of people.” more ›

So while some of us are struggling with our visas, fearful that the 60th anniversary might screw up our chances of staying in this country somehow, a newspaper has informed us that maybe there was a way for us to enter Shanghai without that coveted, gov't-stamped document. more ›

City Weekend has an interesting look at some of the troubles that face Chinese bands trying to widen their appeal abroad. Recently, Wuhan punk band SMZB had an opportunity to tour the U.S. after being invited to participate at Washington D.C.'s Shamrock Festival. Unfortunately, they never made it there, thanks to visa problems: more ›