My experience in China 2004 was: All foreigners are welcome, with or without own vehicles; exspecially policemen are real "friends and helpers". I crossed the borders four times, first north (near Mudaniang / Vladivostok), second to Laos, 3rd from Vietnam and 4th to Nepal - no problems at all with the bike.

But I know from another biker, Jesus Reyes, who tried hard to come into China from Laos side in 2004 / 2005, and did not succeed - they made some "custom problems". I believe, they are still "training" now at the chinese borders, how to deal (in a uniqe way) with border crossing bikers / cardrivers.

Maybe also possible, that the "security faction", which still is alive in PRC, stroke back; but that will not be sustainable, because China want to be a free and liberal country ("Democracy"), and will become in (much) less than 10 years - that's my good feeling.

I had the opportunity to look into the Chinese Law about Entry and Exit the country, and there is not a single chapter, paragraph or rule about vehicles - such rules, if exist, are all beside and under the prior Entry/Exit law (custom-/security rules, etc.)!

When you are inside China, it is very recommended, to come in contact with journalists and make some interviews with nice pictures (I had about 10 such interviews, also TV); they are very keen on foreign travellers this times, because this is new for China, and foreigners used to be only businessmen). And that newspaper articles with fotos of you and your bike are very helpful for communication with non english speaking natives and (maybe) some authorities.

So try it out yourself with good trust in the future - it only can become better;

good luck, Norbert Berentz (BMW R 80 GS)
e-mail " nobtz@web.de " .

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