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Following is a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Dr Hon David Li in the Legislative Council today (May 14):
Question:
It has recently been reported that no new multiple visas for entry to the Mainland will be issued until October this year, and that applicants are required to provide return travel tickets and hotel vouchers when applying for mainland visas. Some business associations and chambers of commerce in Hong Kong have voiced concern about such changes which also affect mainland visa applications processed locally. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) since the introduction of the above changes, whether the Government has taken any action to facilitate business travel to the Mainland by foreign nationals who are Hong Kong permanent residents; if so, of the nature of the action;
(b) whether it has been notified of or taken any action to ascertain whether there has been any change to the policy announced in the 2001 Policy Address that foreign nationals who are Hong Kong permanent residents may be granted three-year multiple visas to the Mainland;
(c) whether it has been notified of or taken any action to ascertain whether the mainland authorities concerned have suspended the processing of applications made by Hong Kong permanent residents for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards; and
(d) whether it knows if the above changes have any adverse impact on the business of local travel agents who organise short trips from Hong Kong to the Mainland; if there is such an impact, of the details of any action taken by the Government to reduce the impact?
Reply :
Madam President,
(a) The Government understands that Hong Kong permanent residents who are foreign nationals wish to have continued convenience when travelling to and from the Mainland for business activities. The Government has conveyed the views and concerns of the Hong Kong business community on the Mainland visa arrangements to the relevant Central authorities.
(b) To our understanding, the Central Government welcomes foreigners coming to the Mainland for travel, business and visit. To ensure a safe environment, the Central Government has made appropriate arrangements on visa with regard to the relevant laws and regulations and the practices of hosting countries of previous Olympic Games and other international sporting events. The Central Government has not stopped issuing multiple-journey visas.
Compared to most other countries or regions, application for Mainland visa has all along been very convenient. Genuine visitors to the Mainland and those attending the Olympic Games will not be affected.
Over the years, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA) has been providing efficient visa application service in accordance with the laws to foreigners, including Hong Kong permanent residents who are foreign nationals. The OCMFA will continue to provide visa convenience as always.
(c) The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a participating economy of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card Scheme. Eligible Hong Kong permanent residents may apply to the Immigration Department (ImmD) for APEC Business Travel Cards. China is also a participating economy of the Scheme. ImmD has not recently received any notice that the Mainland will cease processing of the relevant applications.
(d) According to some members of the tourism industry, the relevant Mainland visa arrangements may affect the foreign visitor's intention to visit the Mainland and make a side trip to Hong Kong during this period. The impact in this regard is more apparent in the South East Asia markets. Besides, some business travellers expressed that the relevant Mainland visa arrangements may cause inconvenience. Members of the tourism industry also revealed that they will continue to notify foreign visitors who intend to visit the Mainland to obtain appropriate Mainland visas before coming to Hong Kong.
The Government has conveyed the views and concerns of the Hong Kong tourism industry to the relevant Central authorities, and will continue to inform the tourism industry of the relevant Mainland visa arrangements so that travel agents can notify visitors to Hong Kong in a timely manner.
Ends/Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:30
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