Feb.23 - The United States issued more than 350 thousand visas to Chinese students, businessmen and tourists in 2006, up 18 percent from the previous year.

 

US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Consular Affairs Maura Harty was quoted by CRI as saying that visas to Chinese citizens accounted for eight percent of the total visas the US issued last year.

 

About 75 percent of Chinese citizens succeeded in obtaining a visa, with the ratio for students much higher.