It's something international travelers in China have complained about for years. Some hotels, usually budget inns or establishments in smaller cities, would refuse to check in foreign guests, claiming they lacked the required paperwork. The regulation did exist once upon a time but was revoked at the turn of the century. However, in some areas, inconsistent communication and weak enforcement allowed the remnants of this policy to linger. This summer, the Chinese authorities issued a formal directive, putting the matter to rest once and for all.