HK enjoys freer travel

HOLDERS of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports have been granted visa-free access to a total of 113 countries and regions.

This was revealed by a top official with Hong Kong Immigration Office in a report by the Hong Kong Commercial Daily News.

To date, as many as 1.9 million HKSAR passports have been issued by the office. In other words, one in every 3.5 Hong Kong people is now holding the HKSAR passport.

The HKSAR passport has a symbolic significance as it makes Hong Kong residents feel that they are real Chinese, the official said.

The passport also brings convenience to Hong Kong people traveling abroad. It means HKSAR passport holders can get help from Chinese embassies around the world.

The official cited a number of examples to show the many advantages a HKSAR passport holder can enjoy.

“In some turbulent places such as the Middle East and Pakistan, holders of HKSAR passports are relatively safe and the local people also consider you as friends,” the official was quoted as telling the News.

The Hong Kong Immigration Office wasn’t granted the right to handle and issue HKSAR passport until early in 1995.

Promotion of the HKSAR passport in the early stages was successful, the official said.

By the time China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997, Hong Kong residents already enjoyed the exemption of visa requirements in 38 countries and regions.

By the end of this year, up to 120 countries are expected to give visa-free treatment to those who hold HKSAR passports, the News reported.