Lucky number: Accompanied by her parents, little Wong Wing-chi (second left) gets the 3-millionth HKSAR passport from the Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok (left).

The Government is looking into the feasibility of integrating biometrics into the Hong Kong passport to tie in with the global trend and maintain the leading position of the passport in terms of security, Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok says.

Speaking at a ceremony to present the 3-millionth Hong Kong passport, Mr Lai said the Government has attached great importance to ensuring ease of travel for Hong Kong residents.

He said this is essential to Hong Kong in maintaining its status as a world-class trading and financial centre, adding that Hong Kong residents loved to travel.

"The Immigration Department's goal is for the Hong  Kong passport to be acceptable worldwide," he said.

132 places give visa-free access to HK passport holders

Noting that Japan granted visa-free access to Hong Kong passport holders, Mr Lai said this is an important milestone in the Government's efforts in lobbying visa-free access.

He said the availability of visa-free access to Mexico from September 18 will bring the total number of countries or territories agreeing to grant visa-free access to Hong Kong passport holders to 132.

He stressed that the Government will continue its lobbying efforts to acquire visa-free facilities from more countries for Hong Kong passport holders.

Three-year-old gets 3-millionth HK passport

Mr Lai presented the 3-millionth Hong Kong passport to tiny Wong Wing-chi at Immigration Headquarters today.

Wing-chi, who turns three next month, was accompanied by her parents, Wong Chun-chung and Lam Sung, at the ceremony.