People queue at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point in Hong Kong before traveling to neighboring Shenzhen, south China, Jan. 8, 2023. Photo: Xinhua
China's central government announced Thursday that two new measures aimed at facilitating travel and residency for residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan on the mainland took effect on Thursday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Under the new policy, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents who lose, damage, or forget to carry their travel permits can apply for a temporary electronic permit valid for seven days, allowing them to board flights and trains within mainland cities, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said, according to Xinhua.
The NIA has also launched a verification service linking travel and residence permits.
Individuals can request proof of their permit association via the NIA's online platform or obtain an official paper document from any immigration office at or above county level nationwide.
Government agencies and businesses serving Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents can integrate their systems with the NIA's authentication platform for automatic verification.
The NIA has already implemented over 40 service measures for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents across 10 sectors, including transportation, finance and telecommunications, benefiting those residents through free real-time verification services, Xinhua said.
The administration pledged to further enhance immigration policies, expand service accessibility, and offer more tailored support to facilitate the life and development of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents on the mainland.
The new measures will further facilitate Taiwan compatriots in studying, starting businesses, working, and living in the mainland, said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Thursday.
For a long time, the public security authorities' immigration management departments have attached great importance to and lawfully protected information security, Chen said.
Local officials and lawmakers in Hong Kong welcomed the new measures. Starry Lee Wai-king, a Hong Kong member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, was quoted as saying in a report by the local media RTHK News on Thursday that those measures will further enhance the convenience of cross-border travel.
She hopes the new measures could be further promoted and the central government can consider introducing an electronic Home Return Permit, which is also known as Mainland Travel Permit, to improve the convenience of document holders living in the mainland.
Victor Chan Chi-ho, a member of Sai Kung District Council, told the Global Times on Thursday that those new measures reflect the central government's strong commitment to integrating Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan into the country's overall development and its continuous efforts to enhance convenience by streamlining related procedures.
"As Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents travel to the mainland more frequently, cases of losing travel documents there are not uncommon. The new measures provide greater peace of mind for these travelers and is a highly commendable policy," Chan said.
When Hong Kong residents encounter difficulties while traveling in the mainland, the instant issuance of an electronic temporary travel permit can provide an immediate solution, eliminating the anxiety of disrupted plans and ensuring a smooth journey, Raymond Lam, a local resident in Hong Kong, told the Global Times on Thursday. "This truly reflects the mainland's efficiency and thoughtfulness."
A verification service linking travel and residence permits is also very considerate, Lam noted.
"Whether applying online or in person, the process has been significantly simplified, making it much easier for residents to handle various matters," Lam said.
By integrating with relevant regulators, businesses, and verification platforms, the system enables automatic verification of the linked permits, improving efficiency and providing strong support for the daily lives and development of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents in the mainland, Lam noted.
The implementation of new measures open more opportunities and convenience to both SAR and Taiwan residents facilitating their job engagement, trade, entrepreneurship, study exchange and full-time education, bringing together a merge of the lifestyle circle, Chu Kar-kin, a veteran commentator based in the HKSAR and member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday.
"The electronic means of reapplying the relevant permit or documents cut time consumed and smoothen the flow. Those residents would benefit from the new arrangement," Chu said.
Official data showed that in 2024, immigration authorities across China issued a total of 94.51 million permits and endorsements for mainland residents traveling to and from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as 2.578 million travel permits for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents visiting the mainland, according to the website of the Chinese government.
