China targets illegal foreigners with stringent law

Beijing -  China's top legislature has passed a new exit and entry law which stipulates harsher punishments for foreigners illegally entering, living or working in the country.

The draft law was adopted Saturday at the five-day bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, China Daily reported.

The law requires foreigners to obtain valid identification documents when working in China and they cannot not be employed without valid employment certificates.

According to the law, employers will be fined 10,000 yuan (about $1,600) for every foreigner they illegally employ. Any monetary gain resulting from such employment will also be confiscated,  reported Xinhua.

The legislation says the units or personnel employing foreigners or enrolling foreign students should report employment information to local police departments. Citizens have been

encouraged to report clues about foreigners possibly living or working illegally.

"The number of foreigners entering China has been increasing by 10 percent annually since 2000," said Yang Huanning, vice minister for Public Security.

"Their identities and goals are more diverse than ever, and their activities are wide-ranging and complicated."

The number of foreigners employed in China jumped from 74,000 in 2000 to 220,000 by 2011-end, with many working as employees of foreign companies, teachers or representatives of  foreign organisations, Yang added.