To promote the tourism industry, the Government has been working with Mainland authorities to find ways to make it easier for Mainland visitors to travel to Hong Kong, the Secretary for Economic Development & Labour says.

In response to a question from Legislative Councillor Howard Young, Stephen Ip said the Government will talk to Mainland authorities about adopting more flexible arrangements regarding necessary exit/entry controls and visit endorsements.

Mr Ip added that the Government has not yet discussed the issue of allowing temporary Guangdong residents to bring their parents along to visit Hong Kong.

The cross-boundary liaison efforts have triggered a number of improvements in recent years, though, he said.

These include a longer validity period for business-visit endorsements, the abolition of the quota system of the Hong Kong Group Tour Scheme and an increase in the number of Mainland travel agents authorised to organise group tours.

Temporary residents in selected cities of Guangdong are also allowed to apply at the local Guangdong authorities to visit Hong Kong.

The two sides are also talking about detailed arrangements for allowing Guangdong residents to visit Hong Kong in their personal capacity, Mr Ip added.