HK to seek expansion in travel scheme for mainland residents: John Lee

Hong Kong will seek to expand a travel scheme for mainland residents to visit to boost the city's popularity and prosperity, said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, adding that the city is all set for the upcoming Labour Day Golden Week.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday morning, Lee said around 800,000 mainland tourists will visit Hong Kong during the Golden Week.

Preparations have been made at border checkpoints and transportation facilities to handle the influx of tourists and provide them with excellent service and experiences. As for whether the May 1 fireworks display will proceed as scheduled, an announcement will be made as soon as possible, he said.

Meanwhile, the city's leader said the central government’s latest measure to facilitate visits by mainland business representatives and skilled workers to Hong Kong would help bring more talent to the city, and he will continue to lobby for more new measures benefitting Hong Kong.

The latest measure involves mainland business visa holders, who will be able to spend 14 days in the city or Macau, double the current seven, under a relaxation of rules that will take effect from May 6. In addition, a visa scheme for mainland talent that already covers those living in the bay area will be extended to Beijing and Shanghai.

Lee said the SAR would lobby for the expansion of a travel scheme for mainland residents to visit the city under the individual visit scheme, drawing in more high-spending mainland compatriots.