XN000022-1982-08-06 — Page 9

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1982

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FEES FOR CHINA ROAD PERMITS

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REGULATIONS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY PERMITTING THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A CHARGE FOR THE ISSUE OF CLOSED ROAD PERMITS TO VEHICLES INTENDING TO ENTER CHINA THROUGH THE MAN KAM TO CONTROL POINT,

PERMITS ARE NORMALLY ISSUED FOR SIX MONTHS, AND THE CHARGE FOR SUCH A PERIOD IS $210 FOR PRIVATE CARS AND $180 FOR GOODS VEHICLES AND OMNIBUSES. THESE CHARGES HAVE BEEN SET TO COVER THE ADMINISTRATION COSTS INCURRED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN ISSUING THE PERMITS.

EXISTING PERMIT HOLDERS WILL ONLY BE LIABLE FOR THE CHARGES ON RENEWAL OF THE IR PERMITS.

IN THE PAST CLOSED ROAD PERMITS FOR PRIVATE CARS WISHING TO CROSS INTO CHINA HAVE BEEN ISSUED ONLY IN VERY LIMITED NUMBERS, BUT FROM THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER 1982 UP TO 100 PERMITS WILL BE ISSUED FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS.

SUCH CLOSED ROAD PERMITS WILL NOT BE ISSUED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT IS INTENDED THAT THEY SHOULD FACILITATE TRAVEL BY BUSINESSMEN WITH SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENTS IN SHENZHEN, A SHORTLIST OF WHOM HAS BEEN COMPILED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES.

THE PROCEDURES FOR THE ISSUE OF CLOSED ROAD PERMITS WHICH DO NOT INVOLVE CROSSING THE BORDER REMAIN UNCHANGED, AND NO CHARGE WILL BE MADE FOR THESE PERMITS,

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