The Boundary and Basic Law Provisions

The Boundary

The boundary of the administrative division of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was promulgated in Order No. 221 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. The Police patrols the land and sea boundaries and Immigration Department and Customs and Excise Department control the flow of people and goods through the control points respectively.

2. The Basic Law expressly provides that the Government of the HKSAR is responsible for the maintenance of public order in the Region. The Police is responsible for, inter alia, patrolling the land and sea boundaries.

3. The Customs and Excise Department safeguards HKSAR's status as a separate customs territory, as provided for in Article 116 of the Basic Law.

4. The Government of the HKSAR may apply immigration controls on entry into, stay in and departure from the Region by persons from foreign states and regions, as provided for in Article 154 of the Basic Law. The Government of the HKSAR also controls entry into the HKSAR from other parts of China, as provided for in Article 22 of the Basic Law. The Immigration Department is the sole authority for processing and issuing HKSAR passports.

5. These Basic Law provisions are backed up by local legislation which are rigorously enforced.

Control of Mainland residents entering HKSAR

6. Article 22 of the Basic Law states that people from the Mainland must apply for approval for entry into the HKSAR. Entry of Mainland residents into Hong Kong is regulated in an orderly and well-controlled manner. Mainland residents entering for visits are subject to our immigration control, and those entering for settlement are regulated by a quota system.

7. Through the control points, people from the Mainland can enter HKSAR legally with the following schemes:

• One-Way Permit Scheme - for settlement in Hong Kong, mainly for family reunion. There is an agreed quota of 150 per day controlling the number of entry under this category.
  
  

• Two-Way Permit Scheme - for visiting relatives.
  
  

• Group Tour Scheme - for sightseeing.
  
  

• Business Visit Scheme - for business visits.

Apart from these schemes, Mainland residents may also enter HKSAR to take up employment, receive training, undertake study or visit in HKSAR under offical auspices by holding a Chinese Travel Permit issued by the Mainland authorities. Holders of People's Republic of China passports may also transit HKSAR on their way to and from overseas countries, provided that they have onward visa and flight bookings.