Hong Kong leader eyes resumption of multi-entry visas for Shenzhen residents, scheme expansion
City leader says measure will boost tourism and business exchanges, and may be expanded to cover visitors from more mainland cities
Hong Kong’s leader has expressed optimism that a multiple-entry visa scheme for Shenzhen residents can be revived and eventually expanded to cover all of Guangdong province, boosting tourism and business exchanges.
“A two-way exchange is better than one way,” Lee told a radio programme. “There will be circulation of economic power and people flow. Only when it goes both ways can you have a multiplier effect and more frequent activities.
“It is always positive to get to know each other more. It’s not just for tourism. There could be an increase in a lot of people-to-people contact and businesses that may be exploring collaborations that are not easily detectable or quantifiable.”
In his policy address on Wednesday, Lee said he had asked Beijing to bring back multiple-entry visas for Shenzhen residents and to expand a “one-trip-per-week” visa scheme to cover visitors from more mainland cities.
Lee said on Saturday he hoped the multiple-entry visa scheme could be expanded to cover other parts of the Greater Bay Area and even all of Guangdong.