Foreign travellers can now spend up to six days in mainland China’s Hainan province visa-free if they enter via Hong Kong and Macau under a new arrangement unveiled by immigration authorities in Beijing.
The new initiative, which took effect immediately after it was announced on Tuesday, allows foreigners holding a standard passport from any nation with diplomatic ties with China to visit the southern island province for up to 144 hours without a visa by joining a tour organised by a legally registered travel agency in Hong Kong or Macau.
Beijing has diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries.
Travellers meeting the criteria can enter and depart via any of Hainan’s entry points in tour groups, which must consist of a minimum of two people.
“Their activities are limited to the administrative area of Hainan province, and the duration of stay is counted from midnight on the day after arrival,” the National Immigration Administration said.
Often referred to as the Hawaii of China, Hainan is one of the nation’s premier tourist spots, renowned for its beaches, seafood and distinctive local heritage.
The Hong Kong government welcomed the new policy, saying it would further promote the integration of the tourism markets of the two locations and inject new vitality into cooperation.
Earlier this month, Beijing extended its visa-free transit policy to more cities in its latest move to boost inbound tourism to the country and regain its allure for foreigners.
Since October, foreign tour groups entering the mainland from Hong Kong or Macau have been allowed to visit 10 cities in Guangdong province under a 144-hour visa-free travel policy.
In February, China expanded its visa-free policy for Hainan beyond tourism, allowing passport holders of 59 countries to visit for up to 30 days for business, visits, medical treatment and exhibitions.
Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said the new initiative would greatly benefit local travel agencies, especially those focusing on inbound tourists, as they now could tap into a much bigger market around the world.
He said the new measure would prompt visitors to bundle Hong Kong and Hainan into their travel plans. It would not be surprising to see 10 to 20 per cent growth in business in those inbound sectors.
“The central government played a good card for Hong Kong,” Chui said.
