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Nikki Sun

Several foreign tourist groups in the city, led by Hong Kong tour agencies, have been refused entry into Guangdong province since last week due to a “system upgrade” on the mainland visa application network, according to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong.
The council and the Thai embassy in Beijing confirmed they have received a number of complaints against sudden suspension of the six-day convenient visa for foreign group visitors.
Joseph Tung Yao-chung, executive director of the Travel Industry Council said two local travel agencies had complained that foreign tour groups organised by them were refused entry into mainland China via ports in Guangdong province.
The tour agencies were forced to replace itineraries on the mainland with sightseeing activities in Hong Kong and Macau.
Mainland Chinese tourist arrivals grow for first time in 13 months, Hong Kong Tourism Board says
“Guangdong Tourism Bureau told us an upgrade of its visa application system was in progress ... [this involved] some network improvements,” Tung said.
“The [Guangdong authorities] had promised to resume services as soon as possible,” he added.
Under the current visa policy, foreign visitors can apply for a “144-hour Convenient Visa”, which allows them to enter Guangdong province from Hong Kong through 10 ports by joining a tour organised by a registered Hong Kong travel agent. The visa allows them to stay on the mainland for six days.
The visa application process is supposed to be convenient – taking just a few hours with the help of a local travel agency, as compared to applying for the visa in their home countries, which could take months.
First launched in 2000, the policy was aimed at enhancing tourism in the Pearl River Delta region, but observers say it could also become an easy way for terrorists to enter the mainland.
Media reports say the policy could have been suspended for security reasons – to prevent terrorists disguised as tourists from entering China, especially at a time when the world’s top leaders are gathering in Hangzhou for next month’s G20 summit.
Why is the G20 in Hangzhou? Historic meeting of global leaders, their agenda and the redrawing of the world’s economic order
A staff member at the Thai embassy in Beijing told the Post that it had also received complaints from rejected tour groups since the weekend, and the embassy was negotiating with Chinese authorities.
Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association honorary secretary general Mint Leong also confirmed with Malaysian media that the visa policy with China was temporarily suspended until further notice.
Additional Reporting by Laura Zhou


‘System upgrade’? China visa suspended for foreign visitors entering Guangdong via Hong Kong

Hong Kong tour agencies have had to replace mainland itineraries with Macau and local tours.

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

Authorities say ‘144-hour Convenient Visa’ application system is just undergoing maintenance, but observers allude to G20 security in Hangzhou
