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Following is a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon Chan Kam-lam in the Legislative Council today (March 17):
Question:
In recent years, Vietnam has adopted an open economy policy and the livelihood of its nationals has greatly improved as a result. Besides, with the economic ties between Vietnam and Hong Kong growing closer and closer, it has become increasingly common for Hong Kong people to invest in Vietnam. Yet, the immigration arrangements for foreigners visiting Hong Kong for purposes such as investment, studies, employment and training, etc. currently implemented by the Hong Kong SAR Government are not applicable to Vietnamese nationals, thus making it impossible for them to apply under such arrangements for entry into Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) why the existing immigration arrangements implemented in respect of Vietnamese nationals are different from those applicable to the nationals of other countries; and
(b) whether the Government will base on the national situation of Vietnam at present and consider further relaxing the entry requirements for Vietnamese nationals?
Reply:
President,
The question pertains to the immigration policy of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Vietnamese nationals. Our reply is as follows:
(a) The HKSAR abides by the principle of free economy. Under this principle, the HKSAR Government has been adopting a relatively liberal visa policy. Whereas we endeavour to facilitate genuine visitors and overseas talent to come to Hong Kong, we also need to strike a balance and uphold effective immigration control. In this regard, we will take into account the different circumstances of individual countries or regions and implement corresponding immigration arrangements. Under the existing arrangements, nationals of Vietnam require a visa to visit Hong Kong. Furthermore, the existing immigration arrangements applicable to most foreign nationals, such as employment, training or study etc, or the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, do not directly apply to Vietnamese nationals. Our existing immigration policy on nationals of Vietnam is based on our overall assessment of the situation of the country and its nationals, including the assessment on the risks associated with Vietnamese nationals to the effective immigration control and overall security of Hong Kong.
(b) The HKSAR Government will take into consideration the actual circumstances and review our visa policy on individual countries or regions from time to time. In recent years, the Immigration Department (ImmD) has put in place special measures to facilitate the visits of genuine Vietnamese visitors, such as streamlining their visit visa application procedures. Also, ImmD will consider the merits of individual cases and relax the entry visas, as appropriate, for Vietnamese nationals with genuine needs to come to Hong Kong for employment, training or study. We believe that the existing immigration arrangements on nationals of Vietnam strike a necessary and proper balance between facilitation and effective immigration control. Of course, we will take into consideration the actual circumstances and update our assessment as necessary, with a view to considering whether we should further adjust the immigration arrangements on Vietnamese nationals.
Ends/Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:35
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