CNMI delegation will head to Beijing for ADS

A CNMI delegation, headed by Gov. Juan N. Babauta, will leave for Beijing on Tuesday, two days ahead of the scheduled signing of the sought-after Approved Destination Status with the Chinese government.

The governor, who discussed the ADS issue during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, said it was agreed that the trip be made on Dec. 28.

“We’ll do this trip for the ADS signing,” he said.

Among those expected to be part of the delegation are attorney general Pamela Brown, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Vicki I. Benavente, governor’s consultant Adam Turner, some other administration officials and representatives from the tourism industry.

“We are leaving early because the date may change. It’s Beijing’s call. We’re just on alert. It’s safe if we’re there during the week,” said a tourism official who requested anonymity.

Beijing has changed the date for the formal signing several times since the CNMI was informed about the ADS approval in early October.

Authorities said the signing was initially planned for November but due to conflict in the schedule of key Chinese tourism officials, it was moved to Dec. 15. The Dec. 15 schedule was later moved to Dec. 21, which also proved not feasible.

After a more intensive follow-up, reportedly initiated by Turner, the government finally got a more definite signing schedule, which is on the 30th.

Aside from the ADS document, the CNMI also expects to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Beijing on pre-arranged group tours of Chinese tourists to the Commonwealth. The MOU aims to set the guidelines for the entry of Chinese tourists and the accreditation of travel agents.

With the ADS in place, the CNMI expects to host some 55,000 Chinese tourists in 2005.

The ADS serves as a guide for Chinese tourists when making travel choices overseas. Chinese tourists are able to travel to ADS countries more easily as part of pre-organized tour groups.

This development poses new challenges to the CNMI’s local immigration even as the federal government has already warned the Commonwealth about the possible entry of “questionable” individuals.

The federal government has recommended that the CNMI should ensure proper background security checks on tourists prior to their entry into the CNMI. It is particularly cautious about tourists “that may be a liability in relation to local immigration control.”