BEIJING has slapped new visa rules on travellers to China ahead of the Olympics games, causing confusion and delay for many around the world.

Changes include new visa requirements, more documents needed for visa applications, and restrictions on movement of foreigners between Hong Kong and China.

These steps are said to be in line with growing security concerns over the August Beijing Olympics and the unrest in Tibet.

A surge in the number of applications had also promoted the move. But the added restrictions have caused confusion because of the way these have been imposed, without much warning.

In Singapore, for example, travellers were left scratching their heads after an official Chinese government website said that from July 1, visitors from the Republic will need visas even for stays under 14 days.

'From July 1, 2008, we temporarily require Singaporean passport holders to enter China with a valid visa,' said the website of the Chinese embassy in the United States.

But neither the Chinese embassy in Singapore nor Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs could confirm any impending change. Singaporeans have enjoyed visa-free privileges for short stays of under 14 days since 2003.

An MFA spokesman said on Friday, 'The Chinese have not communicated officially with us on this matter.'