The European Chamber of Commerce has issued another letter - the first sent a month ago is still unanswered - to the Chinese authorities underlining the impact of visa restricti

ons on the foreign business community.

The restrictions have been interpreted as tightened security to stop protesters from disturbing the 2008 Beijing Olympics this August.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen told legislative councillors yesterday the government will try its best to help Hong Kong-based foreigners to obtain mainland multiple- entry visas.

He said as far as he knew the mainland authorities were not banning foreigners from visiting the country but that the restrictions were connected with undertakings given to the International Olympic Committee with regard to security.

Tsang urged legislators to bring relevant cases to his attention.

Wolfgang Ehmann, a member of the European Chamber of Commerce told The Standard the letter was sent on Monday after the central government failed to respond to its first letter, sent a month ago.

"Foreign companies have put serious money into China and we have people who have business needs and need to travel in and out of China," Ehmann said.

The Foreign Ministry's office in Hong Kong in an open letter on Wednesday said China's visa application process is more convenient than other countries as biometric information is not required and the visa is issued in a short time.

Spokesman Song Ronghua also argued the rules are in line with those of previous hosts of the Olympics and that multiple-entry visas are still available for those in need and who are qualified.

But Ehmann said: "We only got some rhetoric that we have heard before - that there is no change in policy and that it is normal practice. We appreciate that there is a response but it does not really help and the problem continues to be a problem."

The open letter came in response to complaints from foreigners that they were finding it difficult to renew visas while some were refused multiple-entry visas and others told to return to their home countries to apply.

The strict visa rules have been blamed for hitting business travellers the most. "We do not want to compromise the safety and security of China but there has to be a balance of interest of business. We could not make sense of the rules," said Ehmann, who is also executive director of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce.

Meanwhile, the Australian Chamber of Commerce's chief executive Deborah Biber said the situation is unfortunate but foreigners will have to accept the ministry's explanation.

In response to a Legislative Council question yesterday, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong echoed the stance of the Foreign Ministry.

"The central government has not stopped issuing multiple-journey visas. Compared to most other countries or regions, application for mainland visas has all along been very convenient. Genuine visitors and those attending the Olympic Games will not be affected."