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New exit-entry policies in east China's Jiangsu Province are soon to take effect in a bid to provide easy access for residents to go abroad, sources with the provincial Public Security Department have said.

Jiangsu residents wishing to go to Hong Kong or Macao on business will be able to stay there for as long as three years before their visas expire, and those who stay there for less than three months can get visas with no need to fulfill extra requirements on taxation or foreign exchange.

Public security departments at county-level will be granted the authority to process visa documents for business purposes to these places.

Foreign tourist groups will be able to obtain visas directly at the provincial capital's Lukou international airport.

A special channel for Chinese citizens at the entry of the airport will be established to speed up entry procedures.

Currently, a Chinese citizen must go through complicated formalities when applying for a passport, including getting approval from his or her work unit, and producing household registration documents and other identification.

From February 1, however, citizens in Jiangsu will no longer need to file applications or submit invitation letters to go abroad for purposes of settling, family reunion, visiting friends, traveling, business and working.

The cities of Nanjing, Suzhou and Wuxi will pilot a trial process of applying for passports requiring only an identification card and household registration book. Other areas will adopt the same policy by the end of 2003.

In addition, foreigners with senior management or technological expertise, and foreigners who have invested heavily in China will be awarded permanent residence before 2003.