A proposal to issue one-day visas for Shenzhen residents to visit Hong Kong is being discussed by the two governments.
Shenzhen mayor Yu Youjun said yesterday he had held talks on the proposal with Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and other senior SAR officials since last year.
He said the move, if introduced, would create a 'win-win situation'. 'People on our side can visit Hong Kong and spend there,' he said.
'On the other hand, the scheme would be beneficial to the business environment in Shenzhen as it would become more attractive when compared to other mainland cities.'
His comments came after Mr Tung said on Tuesday the SAR government was studying ways to allow Shenzhen and Guangzhou residents to visit Hong Kong more conveniently, but said mainlanders would still require visas.
At present, mainlanders can visit the SAR with a two-way permit for sightseeing on a group tour, to visit relatives or for business.
The permits are valid for between one and 10 days for people on a tour, and up to three months for visits to relatives and for businessmen. Immigration procedures usually take at least a week to complete.
