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The government was delighted that Mainland authorities had decided to implement from December 15 the arrangement to allow non-Guangdong residents ordinarily residing in Shenzhen to apply for Individual Visit endorsements in Shenzhen to visit Hong Kong, a government spokesman said today (November 19).
"We welcome the implementation of this important measure to further facilitate Shenzhen residents to visit Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
"We believe that the arrangement will attract more Mainland visitors to come to Hong Kong for sightseeing and consumption, and further enhance the exchange between people from the two places.
"We have been liaising closely with the Central Government in further facilitating Mainland residents to visit Hong Kong. Two facilitation measures for Shenzhen residents were implemented earlier. Since December 2008, non-Guangdong residents in Shenzhen can visit Hong Kong in group tours and this measure was extended to their close relatives in February 2009. Since April this year, Shenzhen permanent residents can apply for one-year multiple-entry Individual Visit endorsements to Hong Kong.
"Together with the new measure to be implemented next month, these facilitation measures will boost consumption and stimulate the economy, which in turn benefits Hong Kong's tourism, retail, catering and other related sectors.
"We will continue to enhance Hong Kong's appeal and work closely with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the travel industry to offer new tourism products and quality services to drive tourist arrivals."
Ends/Thursday, November 19, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:43
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