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Following is a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon James Tien on Exit-endorsement for Macao in the Legislative Council today (October 17):
Question:
At present, the authorities of the Macao Special Administrative Region allow entry of mainland residents who only hold an endorsement for visiting Hong Kong issued by the relevant mainland authorities. However, mainland residents holding an endorsement for visiting Macao ("Macao visit endorsement") only are not allowed to enter Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the reasons for not allowing mainland residents with Macao visit endorsement to visit Hong Kong as a side trip;
(b) of the security considerations for imposing such a restriction; and
(c) whether it will consider relaxing the restriction to allow mainland residents with Macao visit endorsement to make a side trip to Hong Kong?
Reply:
Madam President,
Regarding the Hon James Tien's enquiry, the reply of the Security Bureau and the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau is as follows:
According to the prevailing Mainland policy on entry and exit control, all residents should obtain approval from relevant Mainland authorities to visit places overseas, including Hong Kong and Macao. Under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), holders of "Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao" must obtain exit endorsement for Hong Kong before they can visit Hong Kong. According to the arrangements prescribed by the Mainland Public Security Bureau, Mainland residents holding the IVS exit endorsement for Macao will not automatically enjoy a waiver arrangement for visiting Hong Kong. Therefore, based on their itineraries, Mainland residents need to apply for exit-endorsements for Hong Kong and Macao respectively before they visit both places.
From the perspective of tourism development, the HKSAR Government welcomes relevant Mainland authorities to introduce more measures under the IVS to facilitate Mainland residents to visit Hong Kong. In general, there is also no particular concern from the security policy angle towards the idea of an exit endorsement under the IVS to enable Mainland residents to visit both Hong Kong and Macao at the same time. The Government will exchange views with relevant Mainland authorities and study any feasible proposals that may facilitate entry of Mainland visitors.
Ends/Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:19
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