Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Entry and exit inspection authorities here said that a new regulation, whereby international airlines must provide them with Advance Passenger Information (API) before arrival, took effect on Tuesday.

    The move would greatly accelerate the inspection process as it would allow the authorities to screen passengers before they land, said an official with the local border management agency.

    He said the required information included the passenger's full name, nationality, gender, date of birth, passport validity and expiry date.

    Once the flight took off for Beijing, the information would be transmitted to Chinese border management agencies through a special network.

    Agencies would receive and begin processing the information two hours before the flight landed at Beijing Capital International Airport. Carriers that failed to provide accurate and timely API would be fined up to 30,000 yuan (4,286 U.S. dollars) per case.