Six categories of talents in Beijing and Shanghai can apply for a talent exit endorsement, allowing multiple trips to Hong Kong and Macao, according to the National Immigration Administration on Sunday.
Starting from May 6, the six categories of talents, which are outstanding talents, scientific research talents, education talents, healthcare talents, legal talents and management talents, who meet the eligibility criteria set by the related authorities can apply to the immigration administration for a talent exit endorsement with a validity period of five years, three years or one year. They can then travel to and from Hong Kong and Macao multiple times within the validity period of the exit endorsement and stay in HK and Macao for a duration not exceeding 30 days during each visit.
The talent exit endorsement has been implemented in the cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on a pilot basis since February 20, 2023, to facilitate talents in the region to travel to HK and Macao for exchanges and visits.
As of mid-April 2024, more than 20,000 arrivals of holders of the talent exit endorsement in HK and Macao as visitors were recorded. Officials said the move is aimed at bringing more mainland talents to Hong Kong for exchanges.
"The six categories of talents who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for talent endorsements (to Hong Kong and Macao) with a validity period ranging from one to five years, and the holder can stay in Hong Kong or Macao for no more than 30 days within the validity period of the endorsement. In the next step, we will summarize and evaluate the program, expand the scope of talent endorsement, and better implement the workforce development strategy in the new era," Wang Ling, deputy head of the entry-exit administrative department of the National Immigration Administration, said at a press conference in Beijing.
Easy exits to HK, Macao to be allowed for certain talents in Beijing, Shanghai
Students from China, Tajikistan, Egypt, Mongolia, Russia and Liberia, all studying at Tianjin Foreign Studies University in north China, share their stories about mum in six languages to cerebrate Mother's Day, which falls on May 12 this year.
Reflecting on memories of their mothers, Mohamed Abdalazeem Fahmey from Egypt fondly shares, "My mother likes noodles."
"She enjoys learning," Bobozoda Fozilbeg from Tajikistan says.
"She's imaginative and always has new ideas," says Zhou Linmiao from China.
"She's a hardworking, beautiful person who has stressed resistance," says Ahmed Mohamed Saleh, another student.
They also share stories about their relationships with their mothers.
Fozilbeg says that his mother taught him how to cook when he was 15 or 16 years old. Those skills have proven very valuable now as he navigates life independently in a foreign land.
"When I just came to China and wasn't used to Chinese food, I cooked for myself every day. At the time, I realized the importance of her teaching me cooking," he says.
"We have our traditional food, which is called potato grains. That's my favorite dish that she always made," says a student from Liberia.
"Whenever she sends me something, she always puts in some ordinary snacks which can be easily bought. I thought it was a bit of a waste of money, because shipping also has costs," says Zhou.
"If something is bothering me or if I'm in a bad mood, she knows just from my eyes what's going on in my mind," says Saleh.
"She told me I have made her dreams come true. Because her dream was to study in university, to study abroad," says Fozilbeg.
"In fact, I'm also a mom, and when I gave birth to my baby, it was very painful. But when she touched me, it seemed so magical. The pain suddenly stopped," shares Igiimaa.
Some students also mention that as they age, they sometimes overlook the opportunity to express our love to the cherished mothers.
"When I was young, I made my mum beautiful birthday cards for two years. When I grew up, I saw these cards in her drawer. She has been keeping them. But I haven't made her birthday cards for years," says Zhou.
"But I didn't say to her 'I miss you, I love you' very often," says Igiimaa.
"I miss her a lot," says the Liberian student.
These students expressed heartfelt messages to their mothers, "I love you."
International students share stories about mothers in six languages
