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Topical Issues

Guide to Assistance Services to Hong Kong Residents in the Mainland

Hong Kong residents, who have met with accidents or are arrested or detained for being involved in criminal cases in the Mainland, may request assistance from the Immigration Department, the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing or the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong whenever necessary. This guide aims at outlining the scope of assistance that can be provided by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Assistance that can be provided by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

• to issue Entry Permits to Hong Kong residents, who have lost their identity documents in the Mainland, for their returning to Hong Kong.
• upon receipt of information that serious accidents or casualties have happened to Hong Kong residents, to notify relatives of the parties concerned in Hong Kong and to give advice on the related procedural matters.
• to liaise, on request from the parties concerned, with their relatives and friends in Hong Kong for rendering financial assistance to the parties concerned.
• upon receipt of notification from the law enforcement agencies of the Mainland regarding the arrest or detention of Hong Kong residents, to pass information to relatives of the parties concerned in Hong Kong.
• to inquire, on request from the relatives and friends of the parties concerned, about the situation of the case involving Hong Kong residents being arrested or detained by the law enforcement agencies of the Mainland.
• to provide, on request from the parties concerned or their relatives and friends, information on lawyers in the Mainland.
• to provide any other relevant advisory services.

Assistance that cannot be provided by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

• to intervene in the judicial system and administrative operations of the Mainland when providing assistance to Hong Kong residents under the Principle of 'One Country, Two Systems'.
• to shield the unlawful act of the parties concerned or absolve them from criminal liability.
• to get better treatment for the parties concerned in hospitals, under detention or in prison than that provided for Mainland residents.
• to pay the hotel, legal, medical and travelling expenses or any other bills for the parties concerned.

Property stolen

In the event of loss of money, identity documents or any other belongings in the Mainland, report it first to the Public Security authorities and obtain a documentary proof of the report of loss. If assistance for returning to Hong Kong is needed, the parties concerned may contact the Immigration Department, the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing or the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong.

Serious accidents or casualties

In case of serious accidents or casualties for whatever cause happening to the relatives and friends or companions of Hong Kong residents in the Mainland, report should be made to the Public Security authorities immediately. If further assistance is needed, the parties concerned may contact the Immigration Department, the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing or the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong.

Detention or arrest

Hong Kong residents should abide by the laws and regulations of the Mainland while they are staying in the Mainland.

Should such persons contravene the laws in the Mainland, the parties concerned have to bear the legal consequences. If the parties concerned are arrested or detained for any charge of criminal offence, they may request the Public Security authorities to notify their relatives in accordance with the laws.

Contact telephone numbers and addresses

• Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
  Telephone No.: (852) 1868
  Fax No. : (852) 2519 3536
  Address: 9/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
• The Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing
  Telephone No.: (8610) 6657 2880 Ext. 034
  Fax No.: (8610) 6657 2823
  Address: No. 71, Di'anmen Xidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing 100009
• The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong
  Telephone No.: (8620) 3891 1220 Ext.608
  Fax No.: (8620) 3877 0466
  Address: Flat 7101, Citic Plaza, 233 Tian He North Road, Guangzhou 510613

Other information

Hong Kong residents may refer to the relevant booklets for details about the criminal procedures in the Mainland which are obtainable at the District Offices of the Home Affairs Department or the  Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and may also visit the following home pages: http://www.sb.gov.hk/chi/special/mlaw/ml-law.pdf and http://www.info.gov.hk/bjo/f/book-f.htm