'More favourable policies for HK on the way'
Executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), Zhou Ji, said the central government will roll out a series of policies benefiting the SAR. Speaking to National People’s Congress deputies from Hong Kong on the sidelines of the "two sessions" in Beijing, Zhou said one of the latest policies by mainland authorities to support the city is the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme, allowing residents of Qingdao and Xi’an to arrange their own trips to the SAR. The HKMAO official said more "preferential policies" are coming. "In order to support Hong Kong, there will actually be a series of policies benefiting the SAR later. But we have to look into the infrastructure, which is what the deputies mentioned when it comes to travelling, accommodation and consumption,” he said. Zhou added that the director of the HKMAO, Xia Baolong, visited border crossings during his recent visit to Hong Kong and could be considering 24-hour operations for the facilities.