December 16- On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing issued China’s one millionth visa for the 2011 fiscal year.  In response to increasing commercial trade between China and the U.S., the U.S. Embassy has additionally shortened the average waiting period for the visa interview to less than one week.

Statistics released by the U.S. Department of Commerce show that in 2010 the over 800,000 Chinese visitors stimulated a five billion dollar increase in the U.S. economy.  The U.S. government continues to encourage a relationship of commercial reciprocity by urging the Chinese government to permit U.S. and Chinese tourists extended validity periods for their visas.