BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Guide dogs for
foreigners attending the Beijing Paralympic Games will enjoy easy entry into
China, as local authorities have promised streamlined quarantine procedures.
Every blind foreign national will be allowed to bring
one such dog to China during the Games, which will be held from Sept. 6-17, an
official with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Inspection and Quarantine said on
Friday.
Dogs won't be quarantined if their owners provide
certificates of good health and current rabies vaccinations, as well as proof of
training as a guide dog, said Chong Yan.
Overseas animals usually face a 30-day quarantine in
China.
"Necessary" quarantine measures will be taken for
dogs without those certificates, but they will be as convenient as possible,
Chong said. For example, a dog without a rabies vaccination certificate will be
vaccinated at the airport.
Quarantine staff will keep in contact with owners to
monitor the dogs' health while in China, Chong said.
About 4,000 disabled athletes from around the world
will compete in the 13th Paralympic Games, which opens about two weeks after the
end of the 2008 Olympic Games.