The Hong Kong government announced the suspension of "mandatory testing for all" and the relaxation of foreign entry restrictions, which is accused of giving up priority to customs clearance with the mainland in disguise.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said at a regular anti-epidemic press conference this morning (23rd) that quarantine-free customs clearance with the mainland is still the priority of the Hong Kong government. If the fifth wave of the epidemic subsides and conditions permit, discussions with the mainland will be resumed immediately.
Lam also pointed out that although the "no-fly order" of the seven countries has been revoked, there are still very strict epidemic prevention arrangements, including restricting Hong Kong people to return to Hong Kong, requiring all injections, and nucleic acid testing after boarding and arriving in Hong Kong. Wait, after arriving in Hong Kong, it is also necessary to follow the quarantine and isolation arrangements, which is not more relaxed than that of local confirmed cases.
She pointed out that Hong Kong is a platform connecting domestic and overseas, and customs clearance affects economic and social development, so the goal must be "customs clearance", including with the mainland and the world.
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If the situation permits, we will resume customs clearance discussions with the mainland
When asked whether customs clearance with the mainland is still a priority as the government suspends "mandatory testing for all", Carrie Lam pointed out that quarantine-free customs clearance with the mainland is not only a priority for the SAR government, but also a priority for Hong Kong's social and economic development. Because Hong Kong's status as a regional hub is largely based on the connection between Hong Kong and the huge mainland market, there is a huge demand for citizens to travel between the two places.
She also pointed out that at the social level, citizens of the two places are closely connected, and many citizens work and go to school across the border.
Carrie Lam said that there is currently no timetable for customs clearance with the mainland. The SAR government must ensure that the fifth wave of the epidemic subsides. He also mentioned that China and Hong Kong began to discuss customs clearance in the fourth quarter of last year. Mainland experts came to Hong Kong to inspect how Hong Kong responded to the epidemic. The details of customs clearance can almost be announced, but unfortunately it was put on hold due to the fifth wave of the epidemic.
Customs clearance｜Zeng Qiyin expects that the whole population will be tested for customs clearance in the mainland. It is estimated that the sixth wave may not appear in the mainland customs clearance｜Liang Zhuowei: The risk gradient of the epidemic in the two places is different. The fifth wave of the epidemic cannot be opened at present. There is a serious loss of talents in the science and technology industry, and the financing of the north is blocked. The industry urges the establishment of a customs clearance timetable. The central government wants to clear customs | Lin Zheng has not responded positively whether to give priority to customs clearance with the mainland: no need to draw conclusions on today's report
