China will start using e-passport and e-DI (Document of Identity
for Visa Purposes) for residents of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (SAR) from Feb. 5, 2007, according to a
bulletin issued by the Foreign Ministry Monday.
Both the e-passport and e-DI for the Hong Kong SAR will be
travel documents issued by the Chinese government. The holder of
the two documents will be permitted to travel to all countries and
regions in the world, the bulletin says.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry requests the authorities of all
countries and regions to render convenience and necessary
assistance to travelers holding the e-passport, it says.
In line with the provisions of Article 154 of the Basic Law of
the Hong Kong SAR, the Chinese government has authorized the Hong
Kong SAR government to issue e-passport and e-DI according to
relevant laws.
In addition, China's diplomatic representatives and consular
institutions as well as all other overseas bodies authorized by the
Foreign Ministry will also be entitled, according to international
norms, to issue the Hong Kong SAR e-passport and e-DI.
According to the bulletin, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has
begun to provide samples of the Hong Kong SAR e-passport and e-DI
and their e-specifications to all countries of the world through
diplomatic channels.
The Foreign Ministry hopes that all countries and regions will
give positive consideration to offering visa-exempt treatment to
Hong Kong SAR passport holders, the bulletin says.
(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2007)