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Purposes will open subsequent month for an expanded entry scheme to a restricted historic city situated alongside the border between Hong Kong and mainland China, with 1,000 spots accessible beneath the brand new every day quota from January.
Police additionally introduced the launch of a web-based one-stop platform on Friday, which guests can use to use for permits to enter closed areas that included the Sha Tau Kok border city, in addition to actions akin to out of doors photoshoots.
“Ranging from December 1, all Hong Kong residents, guests to Hong Kong and licensed journey businesses can apply for group and particular person journey restricted space permits for the entire of January by the web software platform,” appearing chief inspector Cheung Ka-man of the drive’s operations wing advised a press briefing.
As much as 700 individuals on group excursions can be allowed to go to Sha Tau Kok beneath January’s new every day quota, whereas one other 300 spots can be open to particular person guests, she added.
The permits will enable travellers to stay within the border city from 7am to 9pm. Entry to Chung Ying Avenue, which lies on the border between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, will stay restricted.
The expanded scheme marks the second stage in a authorities effort to open up Hong Kong’s northernmost city and also will enable for every day visits, a change from the quota of 500 individuals per day on weekends and public holidays beneath the primary part.
As one of many final remaining settlements within the Frontier Closed Space, a regulated zone first established in 1951 to stop unlawful immigrants from crossing the border, entry to Sha Tau Kok was beforehand topic to restrictions for non-residents.
Metropolis authorities granted tour businesses restricted entry to Sha Tau Kok as a part of a pilot scheme in June final 12 months to advertise eco-tourism. Earlier than the initiative’s launch, residents required a particular allow to go to the border city.
Beneath the scheme’s first part, entry to the frontier city was solely granted to guests travelling as a part of the tour teams.
Hong Kong vacationers might get extra entry to as soon as restricted border city: minister
Hong Kong vacationers might get extra entry to as soon as restricted border city: minister
Official figures present police issued about 17,000 guests permits between June and December 2022, and one other 19,000 from January to October this 12 months.
Authorities in Shenzhen and Hong Kong additionally share jurisdiction over the city’s Chung Ying Avenue. Native residents can run outlets on both facet of the border and cross over at any time.
Secretary for Safety Chris Tang Ping-keung in September introduced the second part of the guests scheme, setting a launch time for early subsequent 12 months.
“Sha Tau Kok is a spot of remarkable significance,” he stated. “Along with being the epitome of Hong Kong’s trendy historical past, it additionally symbolises the alternatives for the longer term built-in improvement of Hong Kong and the mainland.”
Final month, Chief Government John Lee Ka-chiu devoted a part of his coverage handle to proposals selling cultural and eco‑tourism in Sha Tau Kok, saying he deliberate to speak to Shenzhen authorities about whether or not they may facilitate entry.
Police on Friday stated teams may additionally apply for permits utilizing the one-stop platform, in step with Lee’s pledge to completely digitise licence functions and approval providers by mid-2024.
Chief Inspector Chung Equipment-ying of the drive’s digital providers division stated the platform would introduce extra providers subsequent 12 months, together with file checks for sexual convictions and issuing certificates of no felony conviction.
“The platform helps a number of registration and login strategies, together with e mail, native cell phone numbers, iAM Sensible and iAM Sensible+ apps,” she stated, referring to authorities smartphone functions providing personalised digital providers.
Hong Kong frontier city grants vacationers restricted entry as a part of pilot scheme
Hong Kong frontier city grants vacationers restricted entry as a part of pilot scheme
Creating an account with the journey scheme’s platform would guarantee customers prevented re-entering the identical information for a number of kinds and functions, in addition to permitting them to test on the progress of their requests, Chung added.
The chief inspector stated she anticipated the service would assist minimize the appliance approval time from the present 4 to seven working days to between two and three.
Customers may additionally contact the drive’s 24-hour hotline for the platform at 8226 1886 for any assist with registration, logging in and filling out kinds, she stated.
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