New Permits Open Doors To Mainland

From July 10, non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents became eligible for newly launched travel permits, known as Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong & Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens).

Among those who have welcomed the new cards are members of the city’s ethnic minority communities, who say the policy gives them more motivation to visit the Mainland and can enhance their sense of belonging to the country.

Enthusiastic response

Kowloon City District Council member Rizwan Ullah has been assisting individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds in applying for the new travel permits. He calculates that he has helped approximately 600 applicants since the scheme’s launch and typically receives around 15 inquiries per day.

Reflecting on the community’s enthusiastic response to the cards, he said: “Many more people will apply, and when they see others posting on social media about their visits to Mainland China, this will become a push and pull factor.”

Mr Ullah, who is of Pakistani descent, was eager to visit the Mainland himself on the day that he obtained his own permit. He and a friend, Mohammad Ilyas, drove to Sheung Shui and then took the MTR to Lok Ma Chau station, where Mr Ullah tried out his new card.

“Before we had this travel card, we faced many difficulties,” said Mr Ilyas. “I personally accompanied my friend and waited a maximum of two hours.”

For his part, Mr Ullah highlighted that having the permit not only reduces the amount of time he has to queue at boundary crossings but means he no longer has to spend time applying for a visa.  

Explaining that the convenience offered by the card has kindled his enthusiasm for travelling to the Mainland, he elaborated that it enhances his access to various opportunities there, whether in relation to research, business, tourism or cultural experiences. He said this can also benefit his understanding of the country and strengthen his sense of belonging to it.

Greater convenience

Mrs Hui, a Hong Kong permanent resident who arrived as an immigrant from Vietnam over a decade ago, immediately applied for the new permit when it became available.

She said travelling to the Mainland as a Vietnamese passport-holder tended to be inconvenient. “I tried to visit my husband’s hometown of Chaoshan during Easter and waited over an hour at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station for the high-speed rail. It was embarrassing because my family and friends had to wait for me.”

After receiving her new permit, Mrs Hui said she is more likely to travel to the Mainland with her family, and hopes to explore the country with her daughter. “I would like to take my daughter to Beijing, visit the Palace Museum, walk on the Great Wall, and sightsee in Shanghai. I want her to learn more about the country’s development, culture, and history.”