The Co-ordination Group on Resumption of Normal Travel convened its first meeting today to discuss a proposal for the progressive, orderly and comprehensive resumption of normal travel with the Mainland.

Chief Executive John Lee attended the meeting at its outset to explain to officials present his guiding principles on achieving progressive, orderly and comprehensive normal travel.

He said: “All sectors of society are eagerly looking forward to early resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland. I am grateful to colleagues for acting swiftly during the holidays to hold a meeting under the Co-ordination Group on Resumption of Normal Travel to discuss in detail the preparations on all fronts for resuming normal travel, so as to ensure a well-formulated proposal in place.”

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, as the co-ordination group leader, then convened the meeting to discuss in detail and co-ordinate with attending officials the necessary preparation for matters such as boundary control points’ operation, transportation arrangements and risk management.

He stressed that the team must race against time to prepare for the resumption of normal travel by adopting a two-pronged approach.

“We need to formulate a sound proposal on such resumption as soon as practicable. At the same time, we need to maintain close liaison with the relevant authorities at the central level, as well as from Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality, and submit the proposal to the central government for approval after reaching a consensus with them.

“The target is to resume normal travel by mid-January next year, such that various types of cross-boundary activities between Hong Kong and the Mainland can regain momentum in a progressive and orderly manner.”

On the requirements set out by Mr Chan during the meeting, all policy bureaus will sort out issues on the resumption of normal travel under their respective purview and make necessary planning at full steam.

The co-ordination group will meet in the days ahead to put forward a well-formulated proposal on travel resumption and gear up on all fronts involved, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government added.

Returning from Beijing yesterday after conducting his reporting of work to state leaders, the Chief Executive announced that the central government agreed to a progressive, orderly and comprehensive resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland. To forge ahead with the work, the Hong Kong SAR Government set up the Co-ordination Group on Resumption of Normal Travel, which is led by the Chief Secretary and comprises members from all 15 policy bureaus.