PERMIT BOOSTS SUPER CONNECTOR ROLE

From July 10, non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents became eligible for Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong & Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens).

Successful applicants are already able to collect their permits from the China Travel Service.

Foreign chambers of commerce in Hong Kong welcomed the announcement as it will help strengthen the city’s role as a super connector between the Mainland and rest of the world.

Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong & Macau) Chairman Gan Khai Choon lauded the permit as a marvellous move.

“This provision allows all our business people and professionals in Hong Kong to travel to Mainland China for various reasons. I think this is a marvellous move that will make Hong Kong more effective as an international financial centre.

“I will have to use this opportunity and travel more because it is so convenient now. Previously, I had to think many times because it takes a lot of trouble.”

Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong) committee member Gary Lim noted that the new permit makes travel to the Mainland more convenient.

“Even though I have a Singapore passport and it is visa-free, I no longer have to line up through immigration. It is just like using an Octopus card, making it very much easier.”

Permit holders can cross over to the Mainland for up to 90 days, which Austrian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong & Macau former committee member Alfred Buchner considered a good starting point.

He said: “Our daughter was born in Hong Kong, but she never was really in China because it was too much hassle for us to go for the visa, and that is why it is a great opportunity now.

“We also will now have easier access also as tourists, so spending some money in China, looking around the beautiful landscape, there is no time rush. Ninety days is great, is really something which is very attractive, and that is why we are going for it.”

The permit allows holders to travel to the Mainland multiple times within a five-year validity period without the need to apply for a separate entry visa for each visit. Single visits must not exceed 90 days.

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