New law adds convenience for foreign mariners

A mariner from the Philippines was granted a 15-day temporary entry permit to Shanghai on Tuesday as he was suffering from an acute disease.

The case was the first for the Pujiang Inspection Station since the new Exit-Entry Administration Law of China took effect on July 1, according to Lu Jun, an official from the station.

Lu said the law allows foreigners to apply for temporary entry permits of fewer than 15 days in the event of emergencies.

"It's a new measure that provides convenience for foreigners," he said. "The original, lengthy process was to go through the entry and exit administration bureau, now we can skip that step."

Philippine mariner Garcia Cristopher Jusayan was admitted to Shanghai's Punan Hospital on Tuesday.