In the wake of the 100-Day Crackdown, the Global Times has news that may further alarm some of you. China has passed a new entry and exit law that will deal out stronger punishment for anyone who overstays their welcome. Those who flout the law (and those who mistakenly overstay, for what it's worth) now face a fine of up to RMB 10,000 (previously RMB 5,000). Other measures include detention for 5-15 days and, for those found to be working illegally, fines between RMB 5,000 and RMB 20,000, plus possible jail time. New policies have been instituted to deal with people who have committed "severe violations" (i.e. just short of a crime), who now face deportation and a ten-year ban on entering China. What this all actually means with enforcement is anyone's guess, but better to be safe than sorry.

By now you will all likely have read the recent email (see below) from the US Embassy in Beijing regarding an incident where one of its employees was assaulted in Elements. Every so often, embassies will release such a statement and it gets coverage in the media. This particular case is likely to have been exacerbated by other recent high-profile incidents such as this and this.

Like a scene out of Paul French's Midnight in Peking, police discovered a headless, limbless body in Zhushikou (south of Qianmen) at 4 am on Thursday morning, according to Beijing Evening News.

The body was found dumped near a trash barrel, and by 10am was cordoned off by police. Police declined comment, saying the matter was still under investigation, but bystanders told the News that only about a meter-long section of torso was left when the body was discovered.

Sounds a lot like Paul French's 2012 New York Times-bestselling Midnight in Peking, where the mutilated body of teenager Pamela Werner was discovered near Dongbianmen. French's follow-up to The Badlands: More Stories from Midnight in Peking, is available at The Bookworm and other fine bookstores.

(Thanks to Bill Bishop and Sinocism.com for the tip.)

2013 is shaping up to be the year of visa reforms for foreigners in China – in addition to new measures for collecting biometric data (i.e. fingerprints) from foreigners and tightened-up enforcement, officials are also considering draft regulation for two new types of visas: the R1 and R2 visas.

According to the China Daily:

A R1 visa will come with residency rights, while a R2 visa will allow multiple entry and exits.

Liu Guofu, an immigration law specialist at the Beijing Institute of Technology, said R1 visa holders can apply for a residence permit for up to five years, while a R2 visa will allow professionals to stay in China for 180 days at a time.

The regulation will be implemented under the Exit and Entry Administration Law, which takes effect in July.

Amid all the 100-day crackdown hubbub last summer, China passed a new immigration law that is set to take effect July 1. The Beijing Reviewer has put out a two-part blog series that highlights what you need to know about this law, including the possibility of fingerprinting requirements, changes in visa approval policies, and bigger fines and penalties for overstaying your visa.