The Trump administration on Wednesday issued new rules to curtail travel to the US by members of the Chinese Communist Party and their immediate families, a move certain to further exacerbate tensions between the two countries.
The new policy, which took immediate effect, limits the maximum duration of travel visas for party members and their families to one month, according to a state department spokesman. Previously, party members, like other Chinese citizens, could obtain visitor visas for the US that were valid for 10 years.
Travel visas for party members will also be limited to a single entry rather than multiple entries as was possible before, according to two sources.
The new measures do not affect party members’ eligibility for other kinds of visas, such as immigration or employment. The state department spokesman added that no current visas would be revoked as a result of the policy changes. The spokesman made his comments after The New York Times reported on the new limits.
The new visa rules add to the conflict between the two countries on trade, technology and much else. Coming in the twilight of the Trump administration and aimed squarely at China’s ruling elite, the visa restrictions and the likely Chinese response will be yet another challenge to President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.
