Hong Kong's Immigration Department welcomed Friday the one millionth mainland individual visitor to Hong Kong since the individual visit scheme was launched on July 28, 2003.

Xiao Xi, a Beijinger, was presented with a certificate and souvenir by an officer from the Immigration Department at a check point to Hong Kong.

Xiao, who was pleasantly surprised by the special welcome, said he gained a good impression of Hong Kong last year on an official business, and decided to return to Hong Kong in his holiday.

"Since the implementation of the individual visit scheme, residents of 16 mainland cities are able to visit Hong Kong on an individual basis," said Wai Chuen, divisional commander of the border control.

He said the rapid increase in the number of individual arriving shows that the scheme is being warmly welcomed.

During the Chinese New Year holidays, since Jan. 19, about 200, 000 individual visitors have arrived, about 16,000 a day, according to Wai.

"We will continue with our efforts to enhance the smooth flow of passengers at the control points and provide them with quality immigration service," said Wai.

Close

Today's Top News		Top National News
+Nation reports 2 new suspected bird flu cases ( 2004-02-01) +WHO: investigate into sources of SARS cases ( 2004-02-01) +China clamps down on poultry trade ( 2004-02-01) +New bird flu cases found in Hubei, Hunan ( 2004-01-30) +Top US official questions motives behind referendum plans ( 2004-01-31)		+HK receives mlnth mainland individual visitor ( 2004-02-01) +Shanghai reports 62 new patent applications every day ( 2004-02-01) +Shaolin Temple to undergo extensive repairs ( 2004-02-01) +China's first heterogenous cloned Asian antelope in good condition ( 2004-02-01) +WHO: investigate into sources of SARS cases ( 2004-02-01)