Hong Kong permits scheme put on hold
Source: Agencies |
September 1, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A SCHEME to allow millions more tourists from the Chinese mainland to visit Hong Kong has been delayed amid growing concern that the city's infrastructure would be unable to cope, Hong Kong's leader said yesterday.
The southern boomtown of Shenzhen announced last week that it would allow an extra 4.1 million of its residents to obtain multiple-entry permits for Hong Kong.
But just a day before the scheme was to take effect, Hong Kong's new leader, Leung Chun-ying, announced it would be put on hold for three weeks after concern was raised with Beijing that the influx could strain the city's clogged border checkpoints, tourism spots and teeming streets.
Last year, 28.1 million mainland tourists visited Hong Kong, almost four times the city's population. In the first half of this year, 15 million mainlanders arrived, a 23 percent jump over the previous year.
"Many people, including myself, are paying heed to Hong Kong's capacity and ability to absorb," said Leung, as he announced that Shenzhen authorities would not issue any new visitor permits for three weeks. "We will engage the central government and other authorities on the mainland for us to mutually discuss the capacity of Hong Kong to receive these additional visitors."
Cosmopolitan Hong Kong is a favorite destination for people from the mainland.
The freeing up of Hong Kong's border to mainland visitors since 2003 has been a major boon to the tourism, retail and catering sectors.
But some Hong Kong people complain that the influx has driven up property prices and other costs.
Pregnant mainland women have crowded into Hong Kong's maternity wards, eager for their children to get the right to live in the city.
Even tourism officials now say the volume of mainland visitors may be reaching unsustainable levels.
Ngai Sik-shui of the Hong Kong Immigration Officers Association said an extra 400 staffers would be needed if the plan to allow more visitors went ahead.
"At every checkpoint, we have experienced stress and pressure," Ngai said. "This pressure is building every day."
The southern boomtown of Shenzhen announced last week that it would allow an extra 4.1 million of its residents to obtain multiple-entry permits for Hong Kong.
But just a day before the scheme was to take effect, Hong Kong's new leader, Leung Chun-ying, announced it would be put on hold for three weeks after concern was raised with Beijing that the influx could strain the city's clogged border checkpoints, tourism spots and teeming streets.
Last year, 28.1 million mainland tourists visited Hong Kong, almost four times the city's population. In the first half of this year, 15 million mainlanders arrived, a 23 percent jump over the previous year.
"Many people, including myself, are paying heed to Hong Kong's capacity and ability to absorb," said Leung, as he announced that Shenzhen authorities would not issue any new visitor permits for three weeks. "We will engage the central government and other authorities on the mainland for us to mutually discuss the capacity of Hong Kong to receive these additional visitors."
Cosmopolitan Hong Kong is a favorite destination for people from the mainland.
The freeing up of Hong Kong's border to mainland visitors since 2003 has been a major boon to the tourism, retail and catering sectors.
But some Hong Kong people complain that the influx has driven up property prices and other costs.
Pregnant mainland women have crowded into Hong Kong's maternity wards, eager for their children to get the right to live in the city.
Even tourism officials now say the volume of mainland visitors may be reaching unsustainable levels.
Ngai Sik-shui of the Hong Kong Immigration Officers Association said an extra 400 staffers would be needed if the plan to allow more visitors went ahead.
"At every checkpoint, we have experienced stress and pressure," Ngai said. "This pressure is building every day."
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