Starting next Wednesday, non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao will be able to apply for a Mainland Travel Permit, valid for five years. This permit allows for stays of up to 90 days per visit, facilitating business negotiations, tourism, and leisure activities in mainland China.
The announcement of this measure has been met with positive feedback for its anticipated convenience.
Jeff Bent, an American and managing director of Worldwide Cruise Terminals, has held a Hong Kong ID card for 29 years. He expressed that his recent trip to Guangzhou via high-speed rail was hampered by inconvenience in purchasing tickets online due to lacking a return permit. Staff at West Kowloon Station advised him to purchase tickets for later departure times, anticipating delays at customs with his passport.
Bent intends to apply for the new travel permit promptly, foreseeing monthly visits to mainland China becoming significantly more convenient.
Rizwan Ullah, a district councilor and vice principal of Law Ting Pong Secondary School, born and raised in Hong Kong of Pakistani origin, also welcomes the new measures. He highlighted past challenges with Pakistani passports causing uncertainties at ports, potentially delaying travel.
Ullah believes these new measures will facilitate easier access for ethnic minority students to visit mainland China, fostering better integration into Hong Kong society and deeper understanding of the country.
The regulations accompanying the new permits strictly prohibit employment in mainland China. New Democratic Party legislator Yung Hoi-en advised applicants to consult with China Travel Service regarding certification requirements to ensure compliance.
Hoi-en also recommended that the China Travel Service website expand its language offerings to assist ethnic minorities in accessing relevant information more effectively.