I think USA and China have some reciprocal visa agreements in place (correct me if I am wrong) The EU and Norway do not have that and well as you all know - the Noble Peace Prize in 2010 still affect Norway-China relations heavily. There is no express service available at the embassy in Oslo for example, Norwegian citizens can't have 72 hour transit etc.

Is this a tourist L visa or a transit G visa?

L visa.

5 days on an L = Ouch. 30 days is standard but they can give whatever they want. China is apparently still officially sore at Norway.

They are indeed, the Noble Peace Prize brought the relationship level down to zero. Since then we have even changed government from centre-left to centre-right in the last elections, but of course it does not seem to make any difference. The Norwegian government is trying hard however, Dalai Lama will come to Norway in May, but no government officals will meet him (appereantly in an attempt to mend relations to China).

Well for my situation I don't think it helps alot that I am a student (I have anyhow no intentions whatsoever to overstay my visa and settle down in China)

This is of course in stark contrast to Hong Kong which is visa free for most Western countries, no questions asked for 90 days there, and well it is still part of China (but you know one country, two systems).

My friends from Norway visited us with their young kids and had no issue getting a "good" visa. Maybe it is because you are a student and only showed a 5-day itinerary.

Probably something like that - like Norwegian citizens have any history of overstaying their Chinese visas.... :rolleyes:

Students are always a red flag, regardles of which country they are from.

A relative will be on an ex-pat assignment in SE Asia (he's not sure of exact location at this point but Malaysia is most likely) for a year beginning in September. He will want to visit China at least once during that year. Should he try to obtain a multi-entry, 12-mos visa before leaving the U.S.? If not, will he be able to obtain a Chinese visa while living abroad? He is a U.S. citizen. Thank you in advance for any advise you are able to give.

He will be fine. The rules require you to be either a citizen or resident of the country in which you apply. As a bona fide expat he will be a resident.

But can he get a "better" (multi entry, for example) visa by applying from the USA? My guess would be yes, so I'd do the visa before leaving if it's not terribly inconvenient to do so.

Thanks. I'll pass the info along. I wonder if, as a US citizen applying in another country, he'd still be eligible to receive multiple entries?

A proper combination of time, money, and 关系 can move mountains.

More like they're sending a message to the supporters of dalai lama.. Politics..

Isn't this exactly what her post implied?