Embassies and consulates of the People's Republic of China and other institutions stationed abroad entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as "the visa-issuing authorities abroad") shall be responsible for issuance of entry visas to foreigners. Exit/entry border inspection authorities shall be responsible for carrying out exit/entry border inspection. Public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level and their exit/entry administrations shall be responsible for the administration of the stay and residence of foreigners.

The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may, within the scope of their respective responsibilities, entrust exit/entry administrations of public security organs or foreign affairs departments under local people's governments at or above the county level to accept foreigners' applications for entry, stay and residence in China.

In the administration of exit/entry affairs, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall strengthen communication and cooperation, cooperate closely with relevant departments under the State Council, and exercise functions and powers and bear liabilities within the scope of their respective responsibilities in accordance with the law.

Article 5 The State shall establish a uniform exit/entry administration information platform to share information among relevant administrative departments.

Article 6 The State shall establish exit/entry border inspection authorities at the ports open to foreign countries.

Chinese citizens, foreigners as well as transport vehicles shall exit or enter China via the ports open to foreign countries, or via the places approved by the State Council or by the departments authorized by the State Council under special circumstances. Personnel and transport vehicles that exit or enter China shall be subject to exit/entry border inspection.

Exit/entry border inspection authorities shall be responsible for relevant administration work in the restricted zones of ports. On the basis of the need for safeguarding national security and maintaining the order of exit/entry administration, exit/entry border inspection authorities may conduct border inspection on the belongings of the persons who exit or enter China. When necessary, exit/entry border inspection authorities may conduct border inspection on the goods carried by transport vehicles that exit or enter China. However, exit/entry border inspection authorities shall notify the Customs of such inspections.

Article 7 Upon approval by the State Council, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may, on the basis of the need for exit/entry administration, set forth regulations on the collection and keep of fingerprints and other biometric identification information of the persons who exit or enter China.

Where foreign governments have special regulations on issuing visas to Chinese citizens or the exit/entry administration of Chinese citizens, the Chinese government may, as the circumstances require, take corresponding and equivalent measures.

Article 8 Departments and institutions that are responsible for the exit/entry administration shall take practical measures, constantly improve service and administration, enforce laws impartially, provide convenient and efficient service and ensure the security and conveyance of the exit/entry procedures.