Got a Visa? MasterCard?

OK, so about a half hour after I finish the last post about the this guy's adventures in Carrefour, my wife pipes up, "Let's go out or a walk"  Innocent enough, except as we're going down the elevator (that's lift for you Brits) she mentioned that the "walk" was to Carrefour because she wanted to look around there.   I think she's trying to collect on my life insurance. 

As it was, all quiet and back to normal.  They did have some really great sales.  One thing about Carrefour, they've also have the best prices in town,

The other big issue going on these days is the "temporary" change in the China visa situation.  For those not familiar, it's become very difficult to get the usual multi-entry visa for China visits. This affects a lot of business people working and living in China, as they have to get a visa now every time they go to Hong Kong, or for people in Hong Kong they have to get a visa for every time they come in.  The intricacies of the whole thing can be found on The China Visa Blog. 

There is some speculation around here that this visa crackdown has several intentions.  First, to get a lot of the foreigners working in China on business visas without work permits to switch to residence visas with work permits, and start paying China income taxes. 

Second, in some cities there's been an influx of not so desirable people, basically not doing anything productive apparently.  From what I'm gathering, their main business is running 419 scams on who ever they can, a lot of these folks are from places like Nigeria, etc. I do know quite a few people that have been "accosted" in Guangzhou by these folks, "Hey, my uncle just died and there's a lot of money in a bank account,  If you open a joint bank account with me and put so much money in I can have his money transferred over and we can split it. Also, the  payment for goods with a bogus check scam apparently.

As usual, while the visa requirements keep changing,  There's nothing official published except "The Chinese visa is issued in accordance with laws and regulations of China, with reference of the practice of hosting countries of previous Olympic Games and other international sporting events. Compared to most other countries, it is relevantly easy and convenient to apply for a Chinese visa. Genuine visitors to China and those attending Olympic Games will not be affected" - from the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong. 

And so it goes.
Uncle Bob