China is to limit visits by Shenzhen residents to neighboring Hong Kong, a politician and media said yesterday, following recent tension in the former British colony over growing numbers of visitors from the mainland.
Hong Kong has seen a groundswell of discontent over the number of mainland Chinese visiting the crowded territory, where frustration with what many residents see as attempts by Beijing to restrict democracy erupted in protests last year.
Shenzhen authorities are to restrict residents to one visit to Hong Kong a week from an unlimited number of daily trips, said Michael Tien (田北辰), a Hong Kong lawmaker and owner of popular clothing chain G2000.
“It will definitely happen,” Tien said. “I’ve heard from very reliable government sources.”
Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that ensured its autonomy. Visitors from the mainland need permission to visit.
Media said the curbs could come into effect as early as today. Shenzhen is just a short train ride from Hong Kong.
On the Web site where residents of Shenzhen apply for Hong Kong visas, the option for multiple visits a year could not be selected yesterday.
There was no immediate response or confirmation from the Shenzhen government.
The Hong Kong government said any announcement would come from mainland authorities, but it acknowledged, in a statement, that it had proposed concrete measures to adjust visas that allow Shenzhen residents multiple entries to Hong Kong.
About 47 million mainland Chinese visitors streamed into Hong Kong last year, more than six times the territory’s population.
While the tide has powered growth with spending in luxury shops, restaurants and hotels, mainland visitors have been blamed for pushing up shop rents and property prices, and stripping shops of daily necessities, such as baby formula.
The Hong Kong travel industry had spoken out against any curbs on visitors.
Hong Kong’s retail sales fell 2 percent in the first two months of this year, stoking concern of a retail slowdown due to a drop in tourists.
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