China's immigration offices are tightening control on foreigners traveling to the country after witnessing an alarming rise in individuals using China as an access point to enter other nations illegally.

Due to confidentiality agreements, officials have been unable to release concrete numbers when it comes to the exact number of foreigners being sent back to their countries, but Ji Lixia, assistant head of the Beijing office of China Immigration Inspection told sources that the organization has seen a sharp spike in the last three years alone.

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As of Jan 2013, certain Chinese cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, have allotted a 72-hour visa-free policy for travelers from certain overseas countries who hold valid air tickets to a third nation.

However, it seems foreigners are taking advantage of the free visas to either stay in China or to find ways to enter other countries illegally.

Authorities cited most of the perpertrators to either be from developing countries or regions which have been troubled by war.

One example is that of a couple from a war-torn Middle Eastern country who were caught with fake visas which they planned on using to flee to northern Europe.

Two Iranians flying on the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared in March of this year, had also boarded the flight using fake passports in what was believed to be an attempt to enter Europe through Beijing.

But those from developing or worn-torn nations aren't the only ones guilty of overstaying their welcome on China's shores.

Many times, foreigners are drawn by bounteous job opportunities to live in China but then end up overstaying their visas.

Zhang Helong, a police officer at the immigration office, cited one example in which a foreigner from a developed country was working as a teacher at a local kindergarten. After he wasn't rehired, his visa expired and the man was put under investigation for staying in the country with an expired immigration document.   

Tagschina immigration, china immigration control, mh370, illegal immigration china