The People's Republic of China (PRC) will start using the Electronic Passport (e-Passport) and the Electronic Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (e-DI) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (hereinafter referred to as the HKSAR) of the PRC from February 5, 2007.

The HKSAR e-Passport and e-DI are the travel documents issued by the government of the PRC and remain valid for the holders traveling to all countries and regions in the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC requests the civil and military authorities all over the world to allow the holders of the e-Passport and e-DI to pass freely and afford assistance in case of need.

According to Article 154 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the central government of the PRC authorizes the HKSAR government to issue the HKSAR e-Passport and e-DI in line with the law. In addition, according to international practice the Chinese diplomatic missions, consular offices or other agencies located abroad that are authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also handle the affairs related with the issuance of the HKSAR e-Passport and e-DI.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC has provided such documents including the sample, position paper, explanatory note and electronic certificate of the HKSAR e-Passport and e-DI to all the other countries in the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC hopes that countries and regions in the world positively consider extending the treatment of exemption of visa requirements to the holders of HKSAR visa.

January 1, 2007