Since China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) has officially launched five measures to ease the entry process for foreign nationals to visit China at the beginning of 2024, the Chinese government has introduced a new policy to further facilitate foreign folks in terms of their business activities, education, travelling, cultural communications, etc. in China. On July 1st, the HKSAR government welcomed the announcement that non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents would be eligible for Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong & Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens). The country’s Exit & Entry Administration has started issuing the card since July 10th.
The measure is not limited to any nationality or industry, which fully highlights Hong Kong’s unique status under “one country, two systems”, and greatly helps the city maintain its international character and diversity. All non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents are able to make applications to China Travel Service (HK) entrusted by the Exit & Entry Administration for travelling to the Mainland multiple times within a five-year validity period, with a stay not exceeding 90 days for each visit, and without the need to apply for a separate visa for entry.
MR. OSCAR CHOW, Chairman of Hong Kong Bahrain Business Association:
We are very pleased with the new measure. This will definitely strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a leading commercial hub. We believe this will create new business opportunities for Hong Kong and Middle East, and will allow companies and citizens from Middle East to understand the mainland market and expand their operations there.
MR. ALEX TAM, Chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong:
The measure will facilitate greater cross-boundary mobility and economic integration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, creating new business opportunities for our members and long-time Canadian Hong Kong residents.
MR. ALAIN LI, President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong:
The initiative is a positive step towards enhancing regional mobility and fostering closer economic ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland. The Chamber anticipates the measure will open up significant business opportunities across various sectors, facilitating smoother business operations and strengthening bilateral trade relations.
MR. JOHANNES HACK, President of the German Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong：
The measure can be likened to the opening of the West Kowloon high-speed rail link. It will be a great way to make existing traffic move more easily. Looking back on the development of Mainland China visa and travel policies since the end of COVID-19, we are very heartened to see a continuous policy of simplifying and streamlining the process by the Mainland Chinese authorities, in conjunction with their Hong Kong counterparts. We look forward to seeing this measure enhancing the flow of talents, goods, and services between Hong Kong and the Mainland in the years ahead.
MR. DAVIDE DE ROSA, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong & Macao:
We are delighted to see the long-awaited implementation of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens). The measure is a very welcome forward step in terms of mobility for non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents, expanding significantly travel opportunities to the Greater Bay Area and Mainland China generally. The New Travel Permit allows eligible individuals to conveniently travel to and from Mainland China, further strengthening the interconnection between Hong Kong and the Mainland. We believe that the new arrangement will boost business opportunities and prosperity across the region, as well as reinforce Hong Kong’s unique status as the premier business hub in Asia.
MR. DAVID WHITWAM, Chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong:
With the ongoing integration of Hong Kong’s trade, commerce and investment into the Greater Bay Area, of which the city is an integral part, the new permit will mean greater convenience and efficiency for NZCCHK members to travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland on a more frequent basis. The permit’s implementation follows quickly after Premier Li Qiang’s announcement, granting New Zealand passport holders visa-free access to Mainland China for tourism and business-related travel.
It has been reported that since this announcement, there has been a significant uptick in online searches relating to China travel by New Zealanders.
MR. JEREMY SHELDON, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong:
It represents a step forward. Growing trade and investment relies on trusting relationships, making it easier for people to travel, meet and understand each other. To build those relationships is essential.
（本刊记者杨晨综合整理，资料来自香港特区政府新闻处；Reports collected by YANG Chen; sources from news.gov.hk）
Since China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) has officially launched five measures to ease the entry process for foreign nationals to visit China at the beginning of 2024, the Chinese government has introduced a new policy to further facilitate foreign folks in terms of their business activities, education, travelling, cultural communications, etc. in China. On July 1st, the HKSAR government welcomed the announcement that non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents would be eligible for Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong & Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens). The country’s Exit & Entry Administration has started issuing the card since July 10th.
The measure is not limited to any nationality or industry, which fully highlights Hong Kong’s unique status under “one country, two systems”, and greatly helps the city maintain its international character and diversity. All non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents are able to make applications to China Travel Service (HK) entrusted by the Exit & Entry Administration for travelling to the Mainland multiple times within a five-year validity period, with a stay not exceeding 90 days for each visit, and without the need to apply for a separate visa for entry.
MR. OSCAR CHOW, Chairman of Hong Kong Bahrain Business Association:
We are very pleased with the new measure. This will definitely strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a leading commercial hub. We believe this will create new business opportunities for Hong Kong and Middle East, and will allow companies and citizens from Middle East to understand the mainland market and expand their operations there.
MR. ALEX TAM, Chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong:
The measure will facilitate greater cross-boundary mobility and economic integration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, creating new business opportunities for our members and long-time Canadian Hong Kong residents.
MR. ALAIN LI, President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong:
The initiative is a positive step towards enhancing regional mobility and fostering closer economic ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland. The Chamber anticipates the measure will open up significant business opportunities across various sectors, facilitating smoother business operations and strengthening bilateral trade relations.
MR. JOHANNES HACK, President of the German Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong：
The measure can be likened to the opening of the West Kowloon high-speed rail link. It will be a great way to make existing traffic move more easily. Looking back on the development of Mainland China visa and travel policies since the end of COVID-19, we are very heartened to see a continuous policy of simplifying and streamlining the process by the Mainland Chinese authorities, in conjunction with their Hong Kong counterparts. We look forward to seeing this measure enhancing the flow of talents, goods, and services between Hong Kong and the Mainland in the years ahead.
MR. DAVIDE DE ROSA, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong & Macao:
We are delighted to see the long-awaited implementation of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens). The measure is a very welcome forward step in terms of mobility for non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents, expanding significantly travel opportunities to the Greater Bay Area and Mainland China generally. The New Travel Permit allows eligible individuals to conveniently travel to and from Mainland China, further strengthening the interconnection between Hong Kong and the Mainland. We believe that the new arrangement will boost business opportunities and prosperity across the region, as well as reinforce Hong Kong’s unique status as the premier business hub in Asia.
MR. DAVID WHITWAM, Chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong:
With the ongoing integration of Hong Kong’s trade, commerce and investment into the Greater Bay Area, of which the city is an integral part, the new permit will mean greater convenience and efficiency for NZCCHK members to travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland on a more frequent basis. The permit’s implementation follows quickly after Premier Li Qiang’s announcement, granting New Zealand passport holders visa-free access to Mainland China for tourism and business-related travel.
It has been reported that since this announcement, there has been a significant uptick in online searches relating to China travel by New Zealanders.
MR. JEREMY SHELDON, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong:
It represents a step forward. Growing trade and investment relies on trusting relationships, making it easier for people to travel, meet and understand each other. To build those relationships is essential.
（本刊记者杨晨综合整理，资料来自香港特区政府新闻处；Reports collected by YANG Chen; sources from news.gov.hk）
