The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomed the announcement by Mainland authorities today of a series of new measures to support high-level opening up and high-quality development.

One of these measures is the expansion of application of the exit endorsement for talent to Tianjin, Hebei Province, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province, as well as all pilot free trade zones across the country from this Wednesday.

Noting that more than 74,000 arrivals in Hong Kong were visitors holding the talent exit endorsement as of last month, the Hong Kong SAR Government said expanding the application of the talent exit endorsement will attract and bring more Mainland talent to Hong Kong for exchanges, thereby enhancing the city's attractiveness in pooling talent and strengthening its unique role as the country's international talent hub.

In addition, facial recognition intelligent exit-entry clearance will be implemented at various ports in the Chinese Mainland, including the Huanggang, Luohu, Liantang, Futian and Wenjindu Ports in Shenzhen, as well as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port.

This arrangement allows travellers to complete clearance without presenting their physical travel documents, making cross‑boundary travel more convenient and efficient.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also welcomed the implementation of a series of measures at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone’s Shenzhen Park, which facilitate Hong Kong-Shenzhen innovation and technology collaboration and the efficient cross-boundary flow of factors of production. 

At the same time, the Mainland authorities will add four ports connecting Hong Kong as the entry ports under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. The Hong Kong SAR Government noted it will attract international visitors to take Hong Kong as their entry stop or transit point in their multi-destination travel itineraries to the country, and fully leverage Hong Kong's position as an international tourism hub.