Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee says the central government will continue to liberalise travel visa policies for the SAR’s non-Chinese permanent residents after granting new multi-entry, five-year travel permits this week, the South China Morning Post reports.
It is assumed that non-Chinese permanent residents of Macao will benefit from the same new developments as they are also included in the Mainland Travel Permit scheme, announced on Monday.
Starting from 10 July, non-Chinese permanent residents of both SARs will be able to apply for a Mainland Travel Permit, enabling visa-free travel between the Special Administrative Regions (SARs) and mainland China. The permit is valid for five years.
[See more: What to know about the Mainland Travel Permit for non-Chinese permanent residents of Macao and Hong Kong]
Speaking at the China Conference in Hong Kong on Thursday, Lee described the new scheme as “a big policy breakthrough” and said there would be “more steps coming.” He added that he expected the scheme to attract companies and talent from around the world.
Also at the conference, Manulife Asia president and CEO Phil Witherington said he was among those eligible for the new permit.
“This development will improve the convenience for me and many other non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents who frequently visit the mainland for business and personal reasons,” he said.
