In a dramatic U-turn, the Philippines has granted visa-free travel to Special Administrative Region passport holders.
The move was in response to 'strong representations' by the Hong Kong Government, Philippine Consul-General Estrella Berenguel said yesterday.
In January, lobbying by Immigration Director Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee failed to persuade the Philippines to grant visa-free access. It cited fears of mainlanders overstaying and 'undesirable visitors' from Hong Kong.
The change of heart came in letters to Governor Chris Patten and Chief Executive-designate Tung Chee-hwa from Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Domingo Siazon.
Travel will now be easier for an estimated 5.5 million SAR passport holders. The Philippines is the third-favourite destination of Hong Kong tourists, with 290,000 visitors last year.
Mr Patten expressed particular thanks to President Fidel Ramos, 'who took great interest in this issue when I first raised it with him during my visit to the Philippines in December 1995'.
