China's Immigration Bureau has announced that starting May 6, mainland Chinese residents traveling to Hong Kong and Macau will be allowed to stay for up to 14 days per visit, a sharp increase from the previous seven-day limit. It was extended.
This extension will greatly facilitate business exchanges between mainland China and the two regions, and will introduce a series of new measures to streamline entry procedures, promote international exchanges, and promote China's high-level opening-up. included in the measures.
The new measures also include relaxing passport issuance procedures and making it easier for mainland Chinese residents to travel to Hong Kong and Macau. You will be able to apply for a business trip permit to Hong Kong and Macau at the Immigration Bureau. Previously registered location.
Experts pointed out that the new measures will help boost Hong Kong and Macau's economies, create new business opportunities and inject vitality into their development.
Liang Haiming, director of the China Silk Road i-Valley Institute, said that encouraging mainland residents to travel to Hong Kong and Macau will stimulate economic activity and increase demand across the tourism, retail, hotel and food and beverage industries. He said that Macau's economic growth will be promoted. a Hong Kong-based research institute told the Global Times on Sunday.
The initiative specifically focuses on simplifying the travel of business professionals and talent from mainland China, which will create more business opportunities in Hong Kong and Macau, strengthen the local talent pool and strengthen the regional It is hoped that this will facilitate knowledge exchange across the world, Liang said.
“Skilled workers based in mainland China can bring new momentum to innovation and development in Hong Kong and Macau,” Liang said.
Mr. Liang said that more businessmen and skilled workers are likely to promote local commerce and cultural exchanges with the international community, which is expected to increase foreign investment and promote foreign trade, etc. he pointed out.
The new measures will allow skilled personnel from Beijing and Shanghai to enter Hong Kong and Macau multiple times, with entry and exit permits valid for one to five years, with each stay not exceeding 30 days. become. The new policy also includes issuing multiple entry visas to Macau for various activities such as exhibitions, medical care and cultural performances.
Additionally, the National Immigration Bureau will pilot online applications for exchange or reissue of passports and entry/exit permits for travel to and from Hong Kong and Macau in 20 cities on the mainland, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. It is.
With the further integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and the launch of new travel policies, interactions between residents of the three regions are becoming increasingly convenient, leading to closer economic ties.
For example, the Border Control Bureau of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge announced that as of 4pm on Saturday, the number of vehicles traveling on the bridge had exceeded 10 million.
