In a statement issued last night,the SAR Government said it has been notified by the Central Government that the entry restrictions to the Mainland imposed on certain legislative councillors and other persons have been relaxed, and the Central Government would accept such persons' applications for the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong & Macau Residents (Home Visit Permit).

　　This news was first broken by Chairman Zhang Dejiang of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) in meeting with a visiting delegation of the Silent Majority.The chairman said the Central Government hopes to exchange views and communicate with any person or organisation from Hong Kong society, as long as they uphold"one country two systems"and the Basic Law and love the nation,"welcoming them to visit the Mainland and look around, so as to truly understand the development and changes in the nation."

　　Hence it is now very clear that members from the opposition camp who have been denied the Home Visit Permit now can submit their applications for the travel document again.　　Relevant departments of the Central Government will ease control and accept their applications and issue them the travel document.

　　For Hong Kong society, this is no doubt good news that is widely welcomed and given attention.　　Not only the opposition members who have no Home Visit Permit are delighted, citizens who already have the travel document in hand also feel happy.　　For what this news brings are relaxation, tolerance and the goodwill for communication and understanding which eventually will promote solidarity and harmony in Hong Kong society.

　　 As a matter of fact, according to Article 31 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong residents have freedom to travel and to enter or leave the SAR.　　Enjoying such freedom, citizens who have the Home Visit Permit can travel to the Mainland for sight-seeing, visiting relatives, doing business and exchanges, fully exploiting the convenience under "one country two systems" and Hong Kong and Mainland being one family.

　　 An extremely small number of people who are denied the Home Visit Permit are surely not in a good mood.It is remembered that years ago, Lau Chin-shek, a labour movement activist who had been denied the Home Visit Permit for years, wanted to visit his ill old mother in Guangzhou, so he asked the then Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa for help. Tung petitioned for him with relevant Mainland authorities for making an exception in Lau's favour.　　Eventually Ah-shek was allowed to travel to see his mother.　　That touching story shows how important the travel document is.

　　On the announcement yesterday, reaction of incumbent and former opposition legislative councillors was generally positive.But a couple of them such as "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung and Lee Cheuk-yan made sarcastic remarks instead as if they did not give a damn about it.But in their heart of hearts they are fully aware why only a tiny number of people like themselves do not have the travel document while all qualified Hong Kong residents have.They have accepted "political donations"in millions of dollars from "Black Gold Godfather" Lai Chee-ying, "pocketing the money for themselves　　first" to resist China and make trouble in Hong Kong.　　

　　At the same time, they also attempt to make trouble in the Mainland, once trying to take some "bizarre" propaganda stuff across the border.The stuff was uncovered by Chinese Customs and their Home Visit Permit was confiscated.　　With such obvious violation of immigration regulations, all countries in the world let alone the Mainland would not issue you travel document and grant you entry.You are lucky not to be arrested and jailed.

　　In view of this, the assertion by some opposition members yesterday that no restriction should be imposed on applications for Home Visit Permit is totally nonsense.　　In this regard, the Central Government's notification makes it very clear that it "eases entry restrictions and accept applications".This does not mean any applicant would guaranteed to be given the travel document.

　　Not to mention that in his speech the day before Zhang Dejiang made it very clear that the Central Government welcomes Hong Kong people and organisation upholding "one country two systems" and the Basic Law and loving the nation to travel to and look around the Mainland.　　Surely this does not mean that "Hong Kong independence" activists and those who keep shouting to "overthrow tyranny" and insulting their own compatriots with "Shina" are also welcomed to travel to the Mainland and look around?

　　01 December 2016