The Ministry of Public Security is stepping up efforts to work with some countries in Africa and Southeast Asia to tighten visa issuance.

The move is aimed at preventing Chinese mainland travelers from staying illegally in Hong Kong and Macao in transit to third destinations.

"We will work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to communicate with the embassies of some African and Southeast Asian countries for them to monitor their issuing of visas," a senior ministry official told China Daily.