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Following is a question by the Hon David Li and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (November 12):

Question:

At the eleventh informal meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders in Bangkok, the State President said on October 20, 2003 that the Chinese Government would officially implement the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme from November this year. This allows a business traveller from an APEC economy participating in the Scheme to travel to Mainland China without a visa, and enjoy streamlined immigration clearance. At present, only those Hong Kong residents holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card may apply for an APEC Business Travel Card. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether it knows if a Hong Kong resident holding an identity card, be it the Hong Kong permanent identity card or the Hong Kong identity card, and a valid national passport can take advantage of the Scheme to enter and exit the Mainland for business travel; and

(b) if Hong Kong residents holding a Hong Kong identity card and a valid national passport cannot benefit from the Scheme, whether the Administration knows if the Mainland authorities will introduce a similar scheme for these Hong Kong residents to travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) The aim of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Scheme is to enhance the mobility of business travellers who are nationals or permanent residents of the APEC economies participating in the Scheme (participating economies) in order to promote business within the APEC region. A business person residing in Hong Kong who is interested in joining the Scheme has to meet the following criteria:

(i) holds a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and a valid national passport;

(ii) has not previously been denied entry to any of the participating economies;

(iii) has never been convicted of a criminal offence; and

(iv) is a bona fide business person who needs to travel frequently on short-term visits within the APEC region to fulfill business commitments.

HKSAR business persons who are "non-permanent Hong Kong residents" do not meet the eligibility criteria and will not be able to benefit from the Scheme.

At present, a total of 11 APEC economies comprising Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Chile; Chinese Taipei; Hong Kong, China; Japan; Malaysia; New Zealand; the Philippines; the Republic of Korea and Thailand have implemented the Scheme. According to an earlier announcement, China will soon implement the Scheme. We are making enquiries about this with relevant Mainland authorities and further information is not available at this stage.

(b) Currently, Hong Kong residents, including permanent and non-permanent, who are Chinese citizens may use the Hong Kong and Macau Residents Entry and Exit Permit (commonly known as Home Visit Permit) to travel to the Mainland. The Hong Kong and Macau Resident Entry and Exit Permit is valid for 10 years and holders are not required to present other travel document when seeking entry into the Mainland. Since mid-2002, foreign nationals who are holders of the Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card may apply for a multiple-journey visa with a validity up to three years for visiting the Mainland. Mainland authorities have thus far not indicated to Hong Kong any plan to extend this arrangement to cover "non-permanent Hong Kong residents" who are foreign nationals.

Ends/Wednesday, November 12, 2003

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