Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China
Article 23 Where foreigners under any of the following circumstances need to enter China temporarily, they shall apply to exit/entry border inspection agencies for going through the formalities for temporary entry:
(1) Foreign seamen and their accompanying family members disembark at cities where the ports are located;
(2) Persons specified in Subparagraph (3) of Article 22 of this Law need to leave ports; or
(3) Foreigners need to enter China temporarily due to force majeure or for any other urgent reason.
The duration of stay for temporary entry shall not exceed 15 days.
For foreigners who apply for going through the formalities for temporary entry, exit/entry border inspection authorities may require such foreigners, the persons in charge of the transport vehicles used for such foreigners' entry or the agencies handling the exit/entry business for transport vehicles to provide necessary guaranty measures.
Section 2 Entry and Exit
Article 24 Foreigners who enter China shall submit their passports, other international travel documents, visas or other entry permits to the exit/entry border inspection authorities for examination, go through the prescribed formalities, and may enter upon examination and approval.
Article 25 Under any of the following circumstances, foreigners shall not be allowed to enter China:
(1) Hold no valid exit/entry documents, or refuse or evade border inspection;
(2) Are involved in any of the circumstances specified in Subparagraph (1) through (4) of the first paragraph of Article 21 of this Law;
(3) May engage in activities not conform to the types of visa after entering China; or
(4) Other circumstances in which entry is not allowed in accordance with laws or administrative regulations.
Exit/entry border inspection authorities are not required to give reasons for denying an entry.
Article 26 Exit/entry border inspection authorities shall order foreigners who are denied entry in China to return, and shall force the return of those who refuse to do so. While waiting for return, those foreigners shall not leave the restricted zones.
Article 27 Foreigners who exit China shall submit their exit/entry documents including passports or other international travel documents to the exit/entry border inspection authorities for examination, go through prescribed formalities, and may exit upon examination and approval.
Article 28 Under any of the following circumstances, foreigners shall not be allowed to exit China:
(1) Are sentenced to criminal punishments, the execution of which are not completed, or suspects or defendants in criminal cases, except those who are sentenced and transferred under relevant agreements between China and foreign countries;
(2) Are involved in unsettled civil cases and are not allowed to exit China upon decision of the people's courts;
(3) Are in arrears of paying off labor remuneration and therefore are not allowed to exit by decision of the relevant departments under the State Council or of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government; or
(4) Other circumstances in which exit shall not be allowed in accordance with laws or administrative regulations.