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The Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Co-operation and Promotion Council (ECCPC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council held its first joint meeting in Taiwan today (August 30). Following is the transcript of the remarks made by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, in his capacity as the ECCPC's Executive Vice-Chairperson, to a media question at the press conference after the joint meeting.
Reporter: The Taiwanese side has announced that there will be simplified procedures for Hong Kong travellers visiting Taiwan. On the part of Hong Kong, will there be a similar reciprocal arrangement and when can we expect anything to happen on this front?
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: At the moment, we already have in place a set of arrangements which facilitates travellers from Taiwan to visit Hong Kong. Those who hold entry permits to the Mainland can come anytime to Hong Kong without an additional permit entry issued by the Immigration Department, so they can come for a week and stay in Hong Kong. At the moment, we also have an iPermit system which is widely in use. On the part of the Hong Kong Administration, we are very prepared to consider carefully and follow up proposals for permit-free travel to Hong Kong but this needs to be looked at very carefully and very closely.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, August 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:25
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