Beijing, 19 Jan (Xinhua) -- In response to a media inquiry as to whether the Chinese side has issued visas to US officials who applied to come to China during the Beijing Winter Olympics, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian confirmed on 19 January that the Chinese side has examined and issued corresponding visas to some members of the US team composed of government officials.
At a regular press conference on the same day, a reporter asked: According to reports, the Chinese side has issued visas to 46 US government officials to work in China during the Beijing Winter Olympics. Most of these U.S. officials are from the U.S. State Department, can the spokesperson confirm this news? Does the US application for a visa contradict the previous US claim that it will not send official and diplomatic representatives to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics?
Zhao Lijian said that the Chinese side has issued the corresponding visas to some members of the US team composed of government officials. The team that came to China to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics included a large number of officials from the US State Department and other government departments, and many officials also held diplomatic or service passports.
"We hope that the US side will put the Olympic spirit into practice and work with the Chinese side to create a good atmosphere for athletes from all over the world to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics." Zhao Lijian said.
He said that the question of whether the US side's application for visas for diplomats and officials contradicts the US side's previous claim that it will not send official and diplomatic representatives to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics should be asked.