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1st Ld-Writethru: Multiple-entry adjustment shows central govt's care for Hong Kong: Spokesperson

Xinhua, April 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

A decision that has seen Shenzhen resident's previously unrestricted entry into Hong Kong revoked reflects the central government's consideration for people's livelihood in Hong Kong, a spokesperson with the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said Monday.

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced on Monday that Shenzhen residents wanting to travel to Hong Kong may make no more than "one visit a week".

The spokesperson said the adjustment demonstrated the central government's support for a positive response to residents' appeals by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

The adjustment is also conducive to the steady exchange of personnel between the mainland and Hong Kong, the spokesperson said.

In addition to the once-a-week ruling, the maximum length of stay for Shenzhen citizens in Hong Kong is no longer than seven days, according to the circular released by the MPS.

The spokesperson said the previous policy, which was introduced as a pilot program in 2009 and allowed Shenzhen residents multiple re-entry, was convenient for Shenzhen citizens and had helped development in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

However, in recent years, a boom in mainland tourists had put a strain on Hong Kong's accommodation capacity, according to the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said Monday's decision, which was made following a request by the HKSAR government, was a necessary measure to support Hong Kong's economic development. Endit