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Motion debate on visa-free entry to UK

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the motion debate on visa-free entry to UK in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

The Government shares the importance placed by the community and Honourable Members on a high degree of travel convenience for HKSAR passport holders, so that the travel convenience of Hong Kong residents after 1997 would not be adversely affected. The ability of our residents to travel to the rest of the world freely and without hindrance is an important ingredient in the continued prosperity of Hong Kong, which is an international trade and financial centre and has an externally oriented economy,

It is therefore important that as many countries as possible, but particular those having close economic and tourist ties with Hong Kong, should be ready to allow HKSAR passport holders visa-free entry after 1 July 1997. One of these countries is of course the United Kingdom. The British Government had made clear that a decision on visa-free entry could not be taken until further information was available on the HKSAR passport, including arrangements for the secure production and issue of the passport, and eligibility criteria.

Indeed this type of information would be sought by any third country considering visa free access for HKSAR passport holders. As Honourable Members know, the recent signing of the Agreed Minute on HKSAR passports, and the Foreign Secretary's visit to Beijing have helped to provide these information. The technical details of the passport, the role and responsibilities of the current Immigration Department and future HKSAR Immigration Department are now known. The two sides still have to continue technical discussions on the important question of eligibility criteria, which in turn involves the question of permanent resident status, based on the helpful assurances on this issue given by Vice Premier Qian Qichen to the Secretary of State in Beijing recently. The Secretary of State has made clear, during his recent visit to Beijing earlier this month, that the British Government will be able to consider the issue of visa-free entry to the UK for HKSAR passport holders in the near future. He indicated that he hoped it would be possible to reach a decision some time over the next two to three months.