Dear Ambassador Wang Xiaoyuan,

I am a Canadian currently residing in Costa Rica and would like to the process invovled for obtaining a tourist visa to enter the People's Republic of China.

When I contacted the Chinese Embasssy in San Jose, Costa Rica, I was told that I would have to return to my home country of Canada and apply through the embassy there. However, I notice in an earlier e-mail from Mr. Thomas Steiding(dated June 4 2009 at 09:29), he was an American who made a similar inquiry, and was informed that he could apply for a tourist visa without having to return to the US.

In this regard, could you please tell me if that is an arrangment or agreement that only applies to US citizens, or would it also apply to my situation as a Canadian also.