And while dual nationality is a polarizing issue even at the highest levels
of government, the issue of Chinese immigration continues to be a hot button
subject. Many eyebrows were raised on Saturday when a chartered Aero-Mexico
plane loaded with 28 Chinese nationals from mainland China landed at the Phillip
SW Goldson International Airport at around 6:30 in the evening.
Director of Immigration Gareth Murillo confirmed the arrival of the flight
to 7News but he told us that all 28 persons who were onboard the flight had
legitimate visitor visas which were processed from as far as back February.
He says all fees were paid and all documents are in order. Murillo says the
Chinese nationals had problems getting to Belize and that is why a group of
them chartered a flight.
All 28 persons arrived on visitor visas and were granted one month stays in
the first instance. They were met at the airport by their relatives who they
came to visit.
The Chinese nationals applied for their visas at the British Embassy in mainland
China since Belize does not have diplomatic relations with mainland china. Murillo
says the process for approval of the visitor visa to Belize in China is tedious
and thorough. What he didn’t say is that it is also very often, involves
corruption at one end or the other – which is what gave rise to widespread
suspicion and multiple phone calls we received about the subject.
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