China.org.cn | September 11, 2024
21st Century Business Herald:
In recent years, the NIA has released a series of policies to facilitate personnel exchange between mainland and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. What are the policies' effects? What future deployment and arrangements can we expect? Thank you.
Peng Ling:
Thank you for your questions. In recent years, we have continued to innovate policy provisions and have rolled out measures that facilitate mainland citizens' travel to and from Hong Kong and Macao. First, in promoting the movement of talent, we have piloted the issuing of a "talent visa" in Beijing, Shanghai and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for six professional categories in the fields of science, education, culture and health. So far, over 23,000 high-level talents have been issued these visas, allowing them to make unlimited trips to Hong Kong and Macao for periods of 1 to 5 years. Each stay can last up to 30 days, providing ample time for research exchanges and academic discussions, which significantly facilitates the free, convenient and efficient flow of talent and technology. In promoting economic and trade exchanges, business personnel can apply for business permits conveniently at over 4,000 entry-exit service windows across China. The duration of each stay in Hong Kong and Macao has been extended from 7 to 14 days. In advancing the development of the tourism industry, we have added 10 new cities, including Xi'an and Qingdao, as eligible for "individual visit schemes," increasing the total number of included cities to 59. In addition, we have allowed tourist groups to make multiple trips between Macao and Hengqin via the Hengqin Port, supporting the integrated development of tourism between Hengqin and Macao.
At the same time, we have been continuing to introduce entry and exit policies and measures that facilitate Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents' travel to and from the mainland. In serving Hong Kong and Macao residents, we have introduced policy allowing Hong Kong and Macao residents to replace and renew their mainland travel permits on the mainland, ending over 40 years of requiring residents to return to Hong Kong or Macao to complete these processes. Like mainland residents, they can now enjoy the convenience of applying in a single visit at a nearby service window and receiving the permit through postal delivery. So far, 312,000 people have benefited from this service. In serving Taiwan residents, we have focused on addressing their needs and have established specialized windows for Taiwan compatriots and companies, as well as entry-exit service stations. Since the beginning of this year, we have issued 798,000 certificates to Taiwan residents, a 21.6% year-on-year increase. We fully support Fujian province in building a demonstration zone for the integrated development across the Straits, rolling out 10 convenient measures including online application for the mainland travel permits for Taiwan residents. They can also apply for longer travel permits upon arrival or entrust travel agencies to make the application and then retrieve the documents upon arrival at the port of entry. These measures enable Taiwan compatriots to enjoy the benefits of integrated development and kinship between Fujian and Taiwan. The number of Taiwan residents applying for residency in Fujian has now exceeded the total of the previous 10 years. In addition, we have established an ID verification service platform for entry-exit documents to better serve Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents living and working on the mainland. Together with 17 other departments, including the Ministry of Transport and the People's Bank of China, we have actively promoted the convenient use of the mainland travel permits for Hong Kong and Macao residents and the mainland travel permits for Taiwan residents in areas such as government services and public services on the mainland, ensuring that they can handle affairs smoothly and travel with peace of mind with just one certificate. So far, we have provided free, real-time identity verification services to 110 million people.
Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen reform and innovation in entry and exit administration services, better maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, and actively promote the integrated development across the Straits. Thank you!