Eye-opener: Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok (front, centre) poses with the 20 officers before their departure for the Mainland.

A delegation of 20 Immigration officers today set off for an eight-day study trip under the fifth Mainland study programme at Beijing Gong An University.

Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok said the programme will provide a good opportunity for the officers to broaden their horizons and help establish a closer working connection with their Mainland counterparts.

The officers will attend lectures on topics including the management of Mainland residents travelling abroad, management of Mainland residents travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau, Mainland legal system, Police system, criminal psychology and Chinese culture. The delegation will also visit Shaoshan.

Headed by Assistant Principal Immigration Officer Tsang Kwok-wai, the delegation includes a Chief Immigration Officer, a Senior Immigration Officer, 10 Immigration Officers, a Chief Immigration Assistant, three Senior Immigration Assistants and three Immigration Assistants.

The delegation will return to Hong Kong on October 21.