Policy gaps closed

Policies issued in the past year to ease the path of people of Hong Kong and Macao to study, work and travel on the mainland:

On education

• Mainland higher education institutions and relevant authorities grant equal rights to Hong Kong and Macao students in admission, management and support services. The right to apply for the National Social Science Fund of China was also included.

• Mainland higher education institutions issue Employment Agreements and Employment Registration Certificates to students from Hong Kong and Macao upon their graduation.

• The authority has increased both the quotas and amount of money for scholarships open to Hong Kong and Macao students studying at mainland higher education institutions.

On employment

• People of Hong Kong and Macao working on the mainland can join the Housing Provident Fund and enjoy the same rights as mainland residents regarding deposit, withdrawal and processing procedures.

• Work permit requirements have already been abolished for Hong Kong and Macao people working in some of the mainland’s special economic zones, including Nansha in Guangzhou, Qianhai in Shenzhen and Hengqin in Zhuhai. More cities will follow.

On daily life issues

• China Railway Corp has installed automatic ticket machines that accept the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao residents at stations in various cities and provinces. Hong Kong people no longer have to line up at ticket counters in those places.