international relations - Tighter visa regulations for US citizens

US citizens might find it harder to obtain visa for China, AP reports today, as the country retaliates for stricter entry measures for Chinese citizens into the US.
The measures were taken "due to the United States' failure to respond to the Chinese side's representations and its insistence that most of our people be fingerprinted when going to the United States," the ministry said in a statement posted on its Web site, writes AP. (I was unable to locate the message at the website of the ministry.)
The measures seem rather symbolic. US government officials and diplomats would have to obtain normal visas for personal visits to China, but indicate the measures by the US are taken rather seriously. Non-immigrant visa holders have to go through the new procedure, while citizens of about 27 countries get a waiver and do not need a visa.

Update: Xinhua reports that US citizens also cannot apply for the so-called two-day transit visa upon arrival in China, but have to apply for all visa before they arrive.