A cargo ship undergoing repairs at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding caught fire on Thursday, and the death toll is grim: at least 20 confirmed dead, 5 still missing, out of 42 people who were on board. Twelve were evacuated safely, five more were hospitalized with injuries but are stable. The fire broke out around 11:15am local time and wasn't fully extinguished until about 2:30pm — over three hours of a vessel burning with dozens of workers trapped inside.The ship itself is the Ocean...

Shenzhen just got confirmed as the host city for the APEC CEO Summit 2026, running November 17-18, and the timing lines up with the bigger APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on November 18-19. This is the CCPIT (China's main trade promotion body) making it official, and it's the third time China has hosted an APEC gathering, after Shanghai in 2001 and Beijing in 2014. Except this time it's not Beijing or Shanghai getting the spotlight — it's Shenzhen, the city that went from a fishing...

Let's kill a rumor going around a lot of African WeChat groups right now: there is no city in China where you can just walk into the Vehicle Management Office and skip the written test because you're African. The mutual-recognition deals China currently has only cover a handful of countries — France, Serbia, Belgium, and the UAE — plus Hong Kong licenses, which convert without any test at all. No African country is on that list yet. So if you're in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Joburg,...

Let's kill the confusion once and for all: no, most Africans still can't waltz into China without a visa in 2026. Only two African countries made China's mutual visa exemption list — Mauritius and Seychelles are the only African countries listed among the roughly 30 nations that get 30-day visa-free entry on ordinary passports. That's it. Not Nigeria, not Ghana, not Kenya, not South Africa, not Egypt. Two island nations with a combined population smaller than Lagos. It gets worse when...

For many foreigners, getting a work permit in China feels confusing, slow, and stressful. Some people spend months jumping between agents, visa groups, and random advice online without understanding how the system actually works. But the truth is simple: getting a China work permit becomes much easier when you understand the process early, prepare the right documents, and connect with legitimate companies or verified support systems. That is one of the reasons platforms like Hafrik are...

  Starting your journey to study in China is an exciting milestone, but the visa process can feel like a mountain to climb. For many African students, the X1 visa (for long-term study) is the final hurdle between you and your dream campus in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou. Here is everything you need to know to get your "Big Green Light" from the embassy. 1. The "Golden" Documents Before you book your embassy appointment, ensure you have the originals and photocopies of: The...

China has extended key visa facilitation measures through December 31, 2026, making visa applications easier for many short-term travelers. The update centers on an expanded fingerprint exemption for eligible applicants. What’s changing? Based on notices issued by multiple Chinese embassies on December 18, applicants applying for short-term visas with a stay of no more than 180 days may be exempt from fingerprint collection during the visa application process. Countries already...

China has updated the Public Security Administration Punishment Law. The changes take effect on January 1, 2026 and bring stronger penalties for common public-order issues that affect daily life. This guide explains the key points in clear, simple language. Category: Guides & Tips • Reading time: 5–6 mins • Effective from: Jan 1, 2026 What changed The revised law increases penalties and adds new rules to protect public order and safety. It applies to everyone in...

China has officially introduced new regulations for online influencers and content creators, marking a major shift in how professional topics are shared on digital platforms. Under the new policy, only individuals with verified academic or professional qualifications can discuss specialized areas such as medicine, finance, law, education, or health. What This Means for the Hafrik Community As a growing digital community built for foreigners and locals living in China, Hafrik will align...

The Shanghai Public Security Bureau (PSB) has rolled out new measures to make it easier for foreigners to attend and do business during the China International Import Expo (CIIE). These updates improve visa access, registration, and mobility around the event. 1. Electronic Port Visa System For the first time, Shanghai has introduced an electronic port visa system for foreign exhibitors and visitors. The process is fully online — no paper forms or in-person passport checks....

How to Extend a Chinese Visa Smoothly in 2025 A step-by-step guide for foreigners in China on how to extend your visa without stress — requirements, tips, costs, and mistakes to avoid. ✍️ Intro Visa extensions in China can feel confusing — especially with changing rules, language barriers, and long lines. But the truth is: it’s possible to extend your visa without stress if you know what to expect and prepare ahead of time. Whether you’re a student, tourist, or...