1st Ld-Writethru: Shenzhen citizen's entry to Hong Kong restricted

Shenzhen residents will no longer receive unlimited multiple entry permits to enter Hong Kong after a policy was enacted to restrict their travel to "one visit a week" on Monday.

Shenzhen citizens holding annual entry permits to Hong Hong can now enter the city once a week with a maximum stay of seven days per visit, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Public Security.

Citizens of Shenzhen, Hong Kong's neighboring city on the mainland, were previously allowed unlimited visits to Hong Kong with their entry permit, making a daily round-trip to Hong Kong viable.

The decision was made by the central government after huge numbers of tourists from the mainland put a strain on Hong Kong's accommodation capacity, the circular said.

The previous multiple visit policy was launched upon the request of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, and helped boost Hong Kong's economy, create local jobs and enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two cities.

Shenzhen citizens can still apply for unlimited multiple entry permits in a case-by-case approach if they can prove the permit is necessary. Their application should be filed to Shenzhen entry and exit authorities, the circular said. Endi