1. The boundary of the administrative division of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was promulgated in Order No. 221 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. The Police patrols the land and sea boundaries and Immigration Department and Customs and Excise Department control the flow of people and goods through the control points respectively.
2. The Basic Law expressly provides that the Government of the HKSAR is responsible for the maintenance of public order in the Region. The Police is responsible for, inter alia, patrolling the land and sea boundaries.
3. The Customs and Excise Department safeguards HKSAR's status as a separate customs territory, as provided for in Article 116 of the Basic Law.
4. The Government of the HKSAR may apply immigration controls on entry into, stay in and departure from the Region by persons from foreign states and regions, as provided for in Article 154 of the Basic Law. The Government of the HKSAR also controls entry into the HKSAR from other parts of China, as provided for in Article 22 of the Basic Law. The Immigration Department is the sole authority for processing and issuing HKSAR passports.
5. These Basic Law provisions are backed up by local legislation which are rigorously enforced.
6. Article 22 of the Basic Law stipulates that, for entry into the HKSAR, people from other parts of China must apply for approval. Mainland residents who wish to enter Hong Kong for whatever reason, must apply to the relevant authorities of their residential districts for approval in accordance with the relevant national laws and administrative regulations, and must hold valid documents issued by the relevant authorities. They are also subject to our immigration control.
7. Mainland residents holding the following documents may enter HKSAR through the control points legally :
- One-way Permit (OWP) - those who wish to settle in Hong Kong for family reunion must apply for OWPs from the Exit and Entry Administration Offices of the Public Security Bureau of the Mainland at the places of their household registration. The present quota is 150 per day.
- Exit Entry Permits (commonly known as Two-way Permits (TWPs)) - those who wish to enter Hong Kong for visiting relatives, business, sightseeing, study, employment, training or for other special reasons warranting entry to Hong Kong must apply for TWPs from the Exit and Entry Administration Offices of the Public Security Bureau of the Mainland at the places of their household registration with the appropriate endorsements.
Holders of People's Republic of China passports may also transit HKSAR on their way to and from another country or territory, provided that they have valid visa for the destination and confirmed flight bookings.