In recent years, with the rapid development of global tourism, various travel itineraries have become very popular. For China's tourism industry, Hong Kong and Macau, as special administrative regions, require special permits, allowing tourists to enter and exit freely like other cities, and time restrictions are limited. So, why are Hong Kong and Macau, as Chinese cities, that travel requires a permit and limited time?
1. Historical reasons
Historically, Hong Kong and Macau, as part of China, were colonized by Britain and Portugal until the handover of Hong Kong in 1997 and Macau in 1999, finally returning to Chinese rule. During the colonial period, the political, economic, and legal systems of these cities were independent of China. Due to the hardships, the Chinese government has taken special treatment of these cities and signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration with Hong Kong and Macau for strict jurisdiction and management. Over time, these cities have had many differences in politics, culture, population, etc.
2. Protect national security
Now, with economic prosperity and reform and opening up, these cities are becoming increasingly important and increasingly connected to China. However, as a country with a strong sense of national security, China must take corresponding measures to ensure national security and the safety of its people. One effective way to do this is to enforce the pass policy. A pass is a document that tourists need to apply to the Chinese government to prove the legitimacy of the tourist's identity, ensure that the tourist will not have any dangerous or illegal acts, and more effectively protect national security.
3. Effectively control the flow of tourist population
One of the provisions of the pass policy is that tourists can only enter on certain dates and times, and the duration of stay cannot exceed seven days. This measure helps to effectively control the flow of tourists and prevent some negative events. For example, overtourism can affect local society, culture, and can also overload tourists. Therefore, for the tourism industry, it is important to limit the number and time of tourists to ensure the improvement of tourism quality and the sustainable development of tourist attractions.
Protect local ecosystems and the environment
In addition, the pass policy is based on the protection of ecosystems and the environment. Due to the overcrowded urban population, Hong Kong and Macau are paying more and more attention to the preservation of the environment and ecosystem. In order to maintain the sustainability of the local environment, the government has taken various measures to reduce excessive tourism and protect natural resources and the environment.
In summary, although Hong Kong and Macao are part of the Chinese mainland, due to historical and social factors, the pass policy has become a mandatory management system. It can not only protect the safety of the country and the safety of the people, but also control the flow of tourist population and protect the local ecosystem and environment. Therefore, the Chinese government has taken strict measures to manage Hong Kong and Macau to ensure that these cities can both inherit history and promote regional development like other cities.