Pro-Beijing heavyweight pushes for cross-border ambulance services

Launching cross-border ambulance service is one of the 21 recommendations to be made by Hong Kong's largest pro-establishment party to the central government in the coming “Two Sessions” meeting. 

The annual meeting for China's two most powerful political bodies – the National People's Congress  (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) – will commence in Beijing on Friday and Saturday. 

In an online press conference Wednesday, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong announced 21 recommendations they are going to propose to Beijing. 

Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong's sole delegate to NPC standing committee, proposed allowing cross-border ambulances to send patients from mainland cities to Hong Kong hospitals directly, without any transit at border points. 

The SAR government and mainland departments can discuss traffic regulations and licensing issues, including granting licenses to non-government organizations for their operation, or setting up designated passageway for such ambulances at certain border points. 

With more people moving to the Greater Bay Area, their demand of returning to Hong Kong for medical treatment will surge as well, he expected. 

Meanwhile, other party members suggested extending the usage of Hongkongers' “home return permit” to bring convenience to their living on the mainland. 

They also suggest introducing co-location arrangements at the airport, allowing citizens to handle immigration procedures while remaining physically in Hong Kong. 

Building a museum in memory of the war against Japan, and a Chinese Communist Party exhibition center in Hong Kong are also among their recommendations. 

Tam, who is now in Shenzhen, said 36 Hong Kong NPC deputies wish to attend the meetings in Beijing in person, but 10 including himself, Ma Fung-kwok and Maria Tam Wai-chu cannot travel there due to the pandemic. 

The number of deputies who can attend the two sessions is expected to be finalized tomorrow.