New travel permit policy to help South China region

China's National Immigration Administration will begin implementing the multiple travel permit policy for residents in Guangdong's Shenzhen Special Economic Zone to Hong Kong and for residents in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin to Macao, the administration said in an announcement on Friday.

The new travel permit policy allows residents with hukou, or household registration, in Shenzhen to have unlimited visits to Hong Kong starting on Sunday. Residents with hukou in Hengqin can travel to Macao with no limit beginning in January for one year, with a stay of one week per visit, the administration said.

Meanwhile residents with hukou in Zhuhai Special Economic Zone will be able to apply for a "one trip per week" permit for Macao beginning next year.

Under the new policy, Zhuhai permanent residents can visit Macao once per calendar week, with a maximum stay of seven days per trip, it said.

The new policy, which aims to facilitate Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Hengqin residents' travel to the two Chinese SARs has been approved the State Council, China's cabinet.

In Hong Kong, chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he sincerely thanked the central government for its continuous care and support for Hong Kong, for valuing and considering the suggestions put forward by the SAR government and for introducing multiple measures to benefit Hong Kong.

"I am grateful to the central government for actively researching, accelerating and implementing measures in this short period of time, bringing good news to Hong Kong," Lee said.

The new measures will add momentum to Hong Kong's tourism, catering and retail industries, a news release from the HKSAR government information service said.

The chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government, Eric Chan Kwok-ki, said he has instructed all departments in Hong Kong to make preparations and cooperate closely with each other to ensure the smooth operation of ports, tourism facilities and public transportation networks to provide mainland tourists with a good experience.

Peng Peng, executive president of the Guangdong Society of Reform, said the new one-trip-per-week permit for Zhuhai residents and multi-entry permits for residents in Hengqin to visit Macao will have a direct stimulating effect on the Macao tourism market and will revitalize the economies of both places.

"The new policy will benefit industries, including tourism, catering, accommodation, transportation and retail," he said.

Convenient transportation between Macao and Hengqin, located on the western bank of the Pearl River estuary, is a major trend that is highly beneficial for Hengqin's real estate industry. It is also beneficial for local residents crossing the border to work in Macao in the months to come, Peng said.

"The new Macao permit policy will also help Hengqin to attract talent and play a role in promoting the integrated development of Macao and Hengqin," he added.