China unveils new measures to facilitate opening-up, international exchanges(2)

High-level opening-up

The HKSAR government on Sunday said it welcomes enhancements to "exit endorsement for business visit" and "exit endorsement for talents" by the immigration authorities.

"The two new measures will facilitate Hong Kong's further integration into the national development and achieve concrete results on the solid policy foundation of facilitating the 'southbound and northbound' two-way flow of talents," said a statement on the website of the HKSAR government.

With regards to the optimized business visit arrangement, it noted that the measures will greatly enhance convenience for mainland businesspersons who travel to Hong Kong for various business activities and promote their exchanges with the business community in Hong Kong.

Liu Guohong, director of the Department of Finance and Modern Industries at China Development Institute in Shenzhen, told the Global Times on Sunday that the newly launched policies are of strategic importance taking account of the complex international situation, the two cities' unique role in the country's high-level opening-up landscape, and strengthened economic and social development ties between Chinese mainland and Hong Kong as well as Macao.

It also squarely rebuts certain foreign media outlets' smear against HKSAR, which alleged that foreign capital and global talent have been fleeing from the city. The arrival of more business people and skilled workers will likely drive local economic, commercial, and cultural exchanges with the international community, which is anticipated to draw in foreign investment, boost foreign trade and more, analysts pointed out.

"It could further consolidate Hong Kong's magnet as an international talent and capital hub," Liu said.

He expounded that the continued internationalization of Hong Kong and Macao will be beneficial to the national opening-up plan, and there are more rooms for cooperation between the Chinese mainland and the two SARs in trailblazing systematic opening-up reforms, given full play to the two regions' advantages of "one country, two systems."

On March 1, the island of Hengqin in South China's Guangdong Province started a new customs operation that allows most goods to be moved there tax-free from the neighboring Macao SAR, the Xinhua News Agency reported. It is a major arrangement to enrich the practice of "one country, two systems" in Macao.

In addition, a new type of multi-entry endorsement will be issued to mainland residents to travel to Macao for purposes of participating at exhibitions, medical treatment and performing arts activities. One to two companions of those who seek medical services in Macao will be eligible for applying the same endorsement.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, an important historical moment. Liang Haiming, chairman of the China Silk Road iValley Research Institute, a Hong Kong-based research institute, told the Global Times on Sunday that the introduction of some facilitation policies will further strengthen the cooperation and exchange between Macao and the Chinese mainland.

"Hong Kong is also at a stage of transitioning from governance to prosperity, and the central government is fully supporting this process with more stimulus measures," Liang said.