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China: Whether China implemented a policy allowing residents from 10 mainland cities to visit Hong Kong after the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) as a means to bolster the Hong Kong economy (2003 - September 2004)

The Individual Visit Scheme was implemented on 28 July 2003 by the Chinese central government as a means to bolster the Hong Kong economy and tourism industry, which were adversely affected after the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (Wikipedia 24 July 2004; Xinhua 27 Dec. 2003).

The scheme originally allowed residents from Beijing, Shanghai and eight cities in Guangdong province, Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, to travel to Hong Kong independently (Hong Kong 30 Dec. 2003; Wikipedia 24 July 2004; Xinhua 31 Dec. 2003). As of 1 January 2004, the scheme would be extended to six other Guangdong cities: Shantou, Chaozhou, Meizhou, Zhaoqing, Qingyuan and Yunfu (ibid.). While China Travel News states that the scheme was further extended to all residents in Guangdong province on 1 May 2004 (21 Apr. 2004), Wikipedia states that the extension covered only those residents in the 21 cities of Guangdong province (24 July 2004). On 1 July 2004, the scheme also covered a total of nine cities in three other Chinese provinces, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Fujian (ibid.; People's Daily Online 25 June 2004), and in particular the cities of Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Taizhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou (ibid.).

Holders of permanent household registration from these cities can obtain an "individual visit endorsement" by applying to their local Public Security Bureau (PSB) (Xinhua 31 Dec. 2003), which is the issuing body of the visas (Wikipedia 24 July 2004). With regard to the validity and scope of the endorsement, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China Government Information Centre Website states the following:

The endorsement is valid for three months and good for one or two visits to Hong Kong. The holder can stay in Hong Kong for seven days on each visit. Eligible applicants may apply for a new endorsement once the current one has expired or has been used up. There is no quota on the number of endorsements to be issued (Hong Kong 30 Dec. 2003).

Wikipedia states that before the Individual Visit Scheme was put in place, mainland Chinese could travel to Hong Kong only with a business visa or with a group tour visa (24 July 2004). By May 2004, over two million mainland residents had taken advantage of the scheme (Wikipedia 24 July 2004).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

China Travel News. 21 April 2004. "HKTB Welcomes Further Expansion of Individual Visit Scheme." <http://www.chinatravelnews.com/news/apr-04/042104.htm> [Accessed 27 Sept. 2004]

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. 30 December 2003. Government Information Centre."Individual Visit Scheme Further Extended to Six Guangdong Cities." <http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200312/30/1230236.htm> [Accessed 27 Sept. 2004]

People's Daily Online. 25 June 2004. "Individual Visit Scheme to Extend to 3 More Mainland Provinces." <http://english.people.com.cn/200404/21/eng20040421_141020.shtml> [Accessed 27 Sept. 2004]

Wikipedia. 24 July 2004. "Individual Visit Scheme." <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individual_Visit_Scheme> [Accessed 27 Sept. 2004]

Xinhua. 31 December 2003. "Tung Chee Hwa Confirms Extension of Individual Visit Scheme." China Internet Information Centre. <http://www.china.org.cn/english/government/83723.htm> [Accessed 27 Sept. 2004]
_____. 27 December 2003. "Hong Kong Keeps to be a Hot Spot for Tourists." China Internet Informaiton Centre. <http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/83433.htm> [Accessed 27 Sept. 2004]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: Dialog, Freedom House, Human Rights in China, Human Rights Watch, US Department of State.