If China can do this with all the usual paranoia of communist thinking, how come Russia cannot - a so called "free" country now. There have been several times I would have flown to places via Moscow if I could have stayed over to visit the city but all the restrictions and having to have an "invitation", that many ex communist eastern countries, have always put me off. These countries loose so much revenue by making it difficult for the foreign visitor.

China has done this because it knows that Bulgarians won't over stay their welcome as there is nothing for them there - unlike the USA.

"... how come Russia cannot [ allow visa-free visit to the city for transit passengers] - a so called "free" country now."-----Take it easy,
Peter. A pernicious influence of the so called "exemplarily free" GB ;-)
My Russian friends-all without such visas- faced the same problem in London on their way from Moscow to Barbados...and-what is utmost
ridiculous-2 of them were allowed (by the officer) and 3 were not allowed to leave the airport' territory.......And no explanations! Isn't that nice? Their softest evaluations were: "Ну и козлы!" (~"Strange
people these Brits are!" ;-)

OK, point taken but it is such a shame that one cannot enjoy a couple of days visiting famous cities/places. It doesn't detract from what I said about Russia as this is a real regret that I have personally had.

Donell, article is not just about Bulgarians, what you say may be correct about them (though I doubt it) but there are 44 other countries now allowed 3 day transit visas as article states.