§ Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office if he will list the changes in(a) policy and (b) practice in respect of the Hong Kong visa entry scheme for non-EU nationals, including Russian nationals, after July. [13151]
§ Mr. HanleyHong Kong operates a liberal visa regime which allows nationals of more than 170 countries to enjoy visa-free visits. Nationals of some 34 states, including Russia and other eastern European and central Asian states, have to obtain a visa to visit Hong Kong. Most nationals going to Hong Kong for employment, investment, education or to take up residence need to obtain a visa.
Under the Sino-British joint declaration and China's Basic Law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, visa policy after 30 June 1997 will fall within the autonomy of the Government of the HKSAR. The existing visa policy has served Hong Kong well and the Hong Kong Government do not see a need for any significant change in the near future.