I can't go into too much detail at the moment, except to say that by the time you see this post I'll have overstayed my present L visa. The PSB once again declined to process my request for a new L visa a few hours ago. Between the first rejection and this morning's, I had been given 2 tel nos to call. They were as follows: 0471-6699107 and 0471-6699596. Nobody answered them when I called them on numerous occasions during the last few days! Anyways, this morning I went to the PSB office once again. I was told by the desk clerkess she can no longer issue me an L visa because of the new laws. However, I can get a one year residence permit by taking a medical at the specified hospital for laowei and Chinese who wish to go abroad. I was also told an HIV teat would have to be included in the medical. I said my wife is a Chinese, and I'm retired. I was told those are part of China's new visa regs. Then I let her see my application form in which one can tick 2 boxes, one for visiting a Chinese relative, and the other for touring. She said there would be a new form, but they didn't have it now. I said that was poor business practice. As she didn't respond and I was unhappy with what I had been told, I asked to see the boss. Up to then, she had been polite, but just then her demeanour changed for the worse. I said she needn't be angry with me, coz I didn't blame her - I said I realized she was only reiterating what her boss had told her, so I needn't be rude to her. I was told to make my way to the boss'es office. There I was asked where my wife was. I told them that she was at work, just like them!

I reiterated I thought it was unfair to be forced to take a medical, but I compromised a little by agreeing to take an HIV test only. After speaking among themselves in Chinese, a conversation among 7 policemen including the boss, the word pijiu ( beer) was mentioned and my el cheapo brand of fags was also part of said conversation ( they saw my pack when I asked them if I could smoke, to which they agreed.) However, after a short while the boss said I needn't take a medical if my Chinese wife took one in my place. I agreed and pointed out that that would entail a delay of a few days, which might cause problems re my visa being out of date too long. They said that would be ok, but that my new RP would have to applly from the first of July, despite the fact that my L would become invalid on the 9th of July.

My wife has very kindly agreed to do a medical, w2ithout my pressurising her. Of course, as a Chinese she's used to obeying authority, unlike me who despises unfairness.

Once I get my new RP, I'm going to report all of the above to the Central Foreign Office in Beijing. I think it's grossly unfair. Turnoi, Drags, anyone else - please send me any e-mail addresses for same. I'm gonna get stuck into this!