Hong Kong residents heading to Macau should soon be able to do away with paper arrival cards and clear immigration using e-channels.
Automatic immigration channels in Hong Kong, meanwhile, would be opened up to permanent Macau residents, who would also be exempted from declaration forms. The measures are expected to be implemented from the second half of next year after relevant legislation.
In announcing the changes yesterday, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said easy immigration services were 'essential to maintain Hong Kong as a tourism, financial, business and trading centre in the region'.
He also said Hong Kong would seek to establish closer economic ties with Taiwan. Visitors from the island holding iPermits - visas obtained through the internet - or those with multiple-entry permits would see their stays extended from 14 to 30 days.
The government would set up an inter-departmental steering committee, headed by Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah, to work for closer co-operation with Taiwan.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, meanwhile, would see its new office at Taipei beginning operations soon. The initiatives were welcomed by Taiwan's top representative in Hong Kong.
