Chapter III Residence
Article 13
For residence in China, aliens must possess identification papers or residence certificates issued by the competent authorizes of the Chinese Government. The term of validity of identification papers or residence certificates shall be determined according to the purposes of entry. Aliens residing in China shall submit their certificates to the local public security organs for examination within the prescribed period of time.
Article 14
Aliens who, in compliance with Chinese laws, find it necessary to establish prolonged residence in China for the purpose of investing in China or engaging in cooperative projects with Chinese enterprises or institutions in the economic, scientific, technological and cultural fields, or for other purposes, are eligible for prolonged or permanent residence in China upon approval by the competent authorities of the Chinese Government.
Article 15
Aliens who seek asylum for political reasons shall be permitted to reside in China upon approval by the competent authorities of the Chinese Government.
Article 16
Aliens who fail to abide by Chinese laws may have their period of stay in China curtailed or their status of residence in China annulled by the competent authorities of the Chinese Government.
Article 17
For a temporary overnight stay in China, aliens shall complete registration procedures pursuant to the relevant provisions.
Article 18
Aliens holding residence certificates who wish to change their place of residence in China must complete removal formalities pursuant to the relevant provisions.
Article 19
Aliens who have not acquired residence certificates or who are on a study programme in China may not seek employment in China without permission of the competent authorities of the Chinese Government.
Chapter IV Travel
Article 20
Aliens who hold valid visas or residence certificates may travel to places open to aliens as designated by the Chinese Government.
Article 21
Aliens desiring to travel to places closed to aliens must apply to local public security organs for travel permits.
Chapter V Exit from the Country
Article 22
For exit from China, aliens shall present their valid passports or other valid certificates.
Article 23
Aliens belonging to any of the following categories shall not be allowed to leave China:
(1) defendants in criminal cases or criminal suspects confirmed by a public security organ, a people's procuratorate or a people's court;
(2) persons who, as notified by a people's court, shall be denied exit owing to involvement in unresolved civil cases; and
(3) persons who have committed other acts in violation of Chinese law who have not been dealt with and against whom the competent authorities consider it necessary to institute prosecution.
Article 24
Frontier inspection offices shall have the power to stop aliens belonging to any of the following categories from leaving the country and to deal with them according to law:
(1) holders of invalid exit certificates;
(2) holders of exit certificates other than their own; and
(3) holders of forged or altered exit certificates.
Chapter VI Administrative Organs
Article 25
China's diplomatic missions, consular offices and other resident agencies abroad authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be the Chinese Government's agencies abroad to handle aliens' applications for entry and transit.
The Ministry of Public Security, its authorized local public security organs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its authorized local foreign affairs departments shall be the Chinese Government's agencies in China to handle aliens' applications for entry, transit, residence and travel.
Article 26
The authorities handling aliens' applications for entry, transit, residence and travel shall have the power to refuse to issue visas and certificates or to cancel visas and certificates already issued or declare them invalid.
The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may,when necessary, alter decisions made by their respectively authorized agencies.
Article 27
An alien who enters or resides in China illegally may be detained for examination or be subjected to residential surveillance or deportation by a public security organ at or above the county level.
Article 28
While performing their duties, foreign affairs police of the public security organs at or above the county level shall have the power to examine the passports and other certificates of aliens. When conducting such examinations, the foreign affairs police shall produce their own service certificates, and relevant organizations or individuals shall have the duty to offer them assistance.
