​     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (July 1) warmly welcomes and expresses gratitude to the country for announcing that non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents will soon be eligible for a card-type document (Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens)) to enhance convenience of clearance at control points of the Mainland, facilitating their visit to the Mainland for business, travelling, and visiting relatives. The Exit and Entry Administration of the country will start issuing the card on July 10.
                
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "At this important moment when Hong Kong residents celebrate together our return to the motherland, I am grateful for the Central Government for introducing the measure in support of Hong Kong again, which demonstrates our country's care and support for the HKSAR all along. Under the new measure, individuals holding the card will be able to enjoy self-service clearance at control points of the Mainland, significantly enhancing clearance efficiency.
                
     "Many non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents have deep roots in Hong Kong. They have been working diligently and making significant contributions to the development of Hong Kong. Among them, foreign talent working in Hong Kong are particularly keen to better seize the historic opportunities of our country's rapid developments, especially envisioning greater involvement in the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a world-class bay area. We firmly believe that international talent of Hong Kong companies can enjoy the long-awaited clearance convenience for northbound travel with this card. This measure is not limited to any nationality or industry, which fully highlights Hong Kong's unique status under 'one country, two systems' and greatly helps Hong Kong maintain its international character and diversity, thereby providing a significant incentive for companies and talent from around the world to settle in Hong Kong," he said.
                
     Under the new measure, all non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents will be able to make applications to the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited entrusted by the Exit and Entry Administration of the country for travelling to the Mainland multiple times within a five-year validity period (with a stay not exceeding 90 days for each visit), without the need to apply for a separate visa to enter the Mainland. The application, approval, and issuance of this card fall within the remit of the Mainland authorities. This facilitation arrangement complements the "northbound" multiple-entry visa initiative as announced by the Chief Executive in the 2023 Policy Address, meeting the aspirations of various sectors of the Hong Kong community on all fronts.
                
     To dovetail with the country's efforts in building a high-level talent hub, the HKSAR Government has been maintaining close communication with the Mainland authorities, striving to promote the "southbound and northbound" two-way flow of talent, and has received positive responses from the Mainland. Since early 2023, the Mainland has successively introduced measures to promote the "southbound and northbound" flow, including launching and expanding the GBA “southbound” exit endorsement for talent to Beijing and Shanghai, extending the duration of stay in Hong Kong of the exit endorsement for business visit from seven days to 14 days, and introducing the "northbound" multiple-entry visa.  These measures have greatly facilitated the two-way flow of talent. The HKSAR will certainly make good use of these measures, proactively playing the special role and carrying out the mission endowed by "one country, two systems", telling the good stories of Hong Kong, and making even greater contributions to the development of the country.

Ends/Monday, July 1, 2024
Issued at HKT 10:37

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