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The CCP hasn't a clue in how to handle this, either in their own country or on the world stage. The days are gone where China could simply kill all the stories and people who refuse to tow the party line in exchange for 24/7 propaganda served to a starving audience. This isn't as much about face as it is stupidity. China will never win this argument on the world stage, regardless how many stories they try to tell to outsiders. China is behaving like a spoiled child who holds their breath until they turn blue. They're embarrassing themselves now.

I think you pretty much nailed it Carl.

Hi David, I recently filed my I-130 form at the Beijing Embassy and here are some things I wish I had known. First of all, as long as you have the required documents with you, don't worry. I was really worked up thinking that something might go wrong, but it was actually incredibly straightforward. My petition was approved the same day and I was notified by e-mail about a week later with the next steps. Here's what I submitted: I-130 G-325A for each of us Copy of every page in my current passport. I read somewhere that they wanted this but I got a really strange look from the lady behind the counter and she handed back every page except for the bio page and the current residence permit. Copy of my old passport's bio page and my last residence permit since I recently renewed my passport and visa and the new one wasn't six months old yet. Copy of my husband's passport bio page. 1 passport-sized photo for each of us. Copy of our marriage certificate. Photos of the evolution of our relationship and our trips abroad (I wrote the places and dates on them), along with flight and hotel receipts. I also brought all the originals of everything so the person could verify that they were real copies. I'd brought a card I'd sent him on Valentine's Day when I was on vacation in the U.S. and some wedding congratulations cards from our friends along with some e-mails we'd sent each other, but she said no thanks to all of them. I also didn't have any affidavits from friends and family, but that didn't seem to be a problem either. Maybe because I gave them about 50 pictures of us together. I also didn't do a G-1145, but the lady gave me one and told me to fill it out and she put it on top of my application for me. Don't get too nervous. There's a copier right behind the person taking your paperwork. If they need more copies, they will make them there. I ended up shredding about 50 unneeded pages afterwards. Also, don't arrive more than 5 minutes early. They will not let you inside before that and you will have to stand outside in the cold. Don't stand behind the Chinese visa applicants, just go to the front of the queue and tell them you have an appointment to file your I-130 petition. Good luck! Josh

A notarial document will be in the standard white notarial booklet, have an official red seal, an English translation, and an attestation to the true translation. This format is issued by the Gong Zheng Chu for birth certificates, marital documents, and police certificates. These are the only official documents required to be in this format. All others can be submitted with an informal translation, or even untranslated, if translation is not feasible. Sample letter of attestation (for a non-professional translation of a non-required document (such as a relationship letter): The best practice to follow is to simply do whatever you reasonably can.