Canada has asked China to look into media reports that Chinese officials are no longer allowing Canadian nationals born in Hong Kong to visit China on 10-year visas, Canada's foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

Reports in local Chinese media claim that since June this year, several first generation Hong Kong-born Canadians are being specifically told that they can no longer apply as Canadian citizen for travelling to China. In past, they were given the option to travel as Canadian or Chinese citizens.      

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 "Canada is aware of recent reports of challenges for Canadian-Chinese dual citizens in obtaining visas to visit China from Hong Kong. We are looking into the issue and are following up with the Chinese authorities," said Felix Corriveau, a spokesman for Immigration Minister John McCallum.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa said in its official statement that it has not received any notification in changes to Visa policy.   

Jenny Kwan, a member of the Canadian Parliament, told reporters that she has already written a letter to foreign minister Stephane Dion on the visa issue, urging the minister to tackle the issue at the earliest.    

The issue of visa problem assumes immense importance for Canada, as more than one million Canadian citizens of Chinese descent live in Canada. Experts say that if the reports of Canadian descents facing visa problem are indeed true, then it is a complete encroachment of Hong Kong's autonomy.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to visit China in late August. The Prime Minister is likely to take up the issue with Chinese leadership during his visits, if the issue remains unresolved.         

Earlier this month, the diplomatic relationship between China and Canada became strained after Foreign Minister Wang Yi publicly scolded a Canadian journalist in Ottawa. Wang was reportedly infuriated by the journalist's repeated questions on human rights issues in China. Following the incident, the Canadian Prime Minister castigated the Chinese foreign minister.

TagsCanada, china, Canada-China relations