With the regular operation of the direct high-speed rail from Hefeinan Station to Hong Kong, the number of applications for Hong Kong and Macao travel permits from Hefei residents has surged significantly. Since January this year, the cumulative number of applications for Hong Kong and Macao travel permits and related endorsements processed in Hefei has reached nearly 40,000, representing a month-on-month increase of 36.1% and a year-on-year increase of 25.7%. Hong Kong and Macao have become popular destinations for Hefei residents for tourism and business exchanges.

To meet the growing demand for travel to Hong Kong and Macao, the exit and entry administration of the Hefei Municipal Public Security Bureau has proactively planned and implemented contingency measures. All 14 public security comprehensive service windows in the city's government service centers have been fully opened for application processing. Measures such as setting up 37 flexible service windows, and opening 16 green channels have been adopted to reduce waiting times for applicants. Tailored measures have been implemented for different groups, providing services such as "nearby processing, extended-hour services, and expedited processing" for business professionals and talents traveling to Hong Kong. Special groups, including the elderly, are offered dedicated green channels with on-site guidance. Additionally, efforts to deepen reforms in "streamlining administration, delegating power, improving regulation, and upgrading services" have been advanced. A dual-channel system combining "appointment-based and walk-in" processing has been implemented, and policies such as "nationwide processing" and "full online processing" have been fully adopted. The service for Hong Kong and Macao business filing has also been optimized, with green-channel document processing times compressed to within 48 hours.

Furthermore, the city has advanced the relocation of service windows by collaborating with key industrial parks, conducting over 20 on-site centralized application sessions. This initiative ensures "direct delivery of services," facilitating more convenient travel to and from Hong Kong and Macao for residents, while also contributing to the creation of an improved business environment in Hefei.

Source: Anhui Daily