A left turn in the law would steer mainland tycoons in our direction

The government wants to encourage more mainland millionaires to travel to Hong Kong to shop and invest in stocks. Trouble is, they have to travel here with the hoi polloi instead of in their chauffeur-driven limousines.

Several mainland tycoons have complained to White Collar that they can only take the train, bus or plane to the city because Hong Kong still bans most left-hand-drive cars.

The restriction is in stark contrast with government efforts to put out the welcome mat to wealthy tourists and investors from the mainland.

Although Hong Kong was handed back to China more than 10 years ago, it sticks to the British-based law that vehicles must be right-hand-drive.

Left-hand-drive vehicles, which are used on the mainland, the United States and most European countries, are not normally allowed to be registered in Hong Kong except under special circumstances.

Should the law be changed to allow more left-hand-drive vehicles, these mainland millionaires said they would be more interested in coming here to shop and dine. They do not want to travel in a crowded train, bus or plane.

It actually makes sense for the government to consider relaxing this restriction, given that the governments of Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai are going to spend HK$43.23 billion to build the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge.