HK receives mlnth mainland individual visitor
( 2004-02-01 10:46) (Xinhua)
Hong Kong's Immigration Department welcomed Friday the one millionth mainland
individual visitor to Hong Kong since the individual visit scheme was launched
on July 28, 2003.
Xiao Xi, a Beijinger, was presented with a certificate and souvenir by an
officer from the Immigration Department at a check point to Hong Kong.
Xiao, who was pleasantly surprised by the special welcome, said he gained a
good impression of Hong Kong last year on an official business, and decided to
return to Hong Kong in his holiday.
"Since the implementation of the individual visit scheme, residents of 16
mainland cities are able to visit Hong Kong on an individual basis," said Wai
Chuen, divisional commander of the border control.
He said the rapid increase in the number of individual arriving shows that
the scheme is being warmly welcomed.
During the Chinese New Year holidays, since Jan. 19, about 200, 000
individual visitors have arrived, about 16,000 a day, according to Wai.
"We will continue with our efforts to enhance the smooth flow of passengers
at the control points and provide them with quality immigration service," said
Wai.
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