сегодняшняя South China Morning Post
думаю, что прочтение этого материала несколько поубавит оптимизма
Russia, HK to sign visa-free dealSouth China Morning Post, Nov. 10, 2008, p.A2A visa-free arrangement between Russia and Hong Kong
could be signed by next spring (
выделено мной, S.), Russian consul general Sergey Gritsay says, hailing the move as a breakthrough that highlights improving ties.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Mr Gritsay said the final draft of the agreement was completed in September and was awaiting official approval.
He said Hong Kong-Russian ties had strengthened during the past year, but the anticipated visa-free arrangement would still be "some kind of a breakthrough", benefiting both sides with increased trade, tourism and cultural exchanges.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen announced in his policy address that talks were under way for the signing of a visa-free access agreement with Russia - "the first such agreement signed by Russia with a developed economy".
In recent years, there have been several high-profile visits by Hong Kong officials to Russia, two of which involved the presentation of business and investment opportunities.
Mr Gritsay said in light of improved relations, he had mentioned to Hong Kong officials that the next significant step would be improved visa arrangements. And in November last year, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong proposed the idea during a trip to Moscow.
"We are seeing a steady increase in contact - but what's more important is the increase of interest from both sides," Mr Gritsay said.
In recent years, Hong Kong has seen an increase in both imports and tourists from Russia.
Hong Kong imports from Russia in the first eight months of this year increased by 47.3 per cent over the same period a year earlier, while last year there was a 26 per cent increase, amounting to a turnover of US$1.3 billion.
Mr Gritsay conceded this was not a big number compared with that of Hong Kong's major trading partners such as the United States, but he said it was becoming significant.
Meanwhile, the number of Russian tourists visiting Hong Kong increased from 23,318 in 2005 to 29,708 in 2006 and 33,607 last year.
In the first eight months of this year, there had already been 23,174 visitors, and the holiday season is only just starting for Russians, who like to escape the winter cold.
Mr Gritsay said Russians liked Thailand and Hainan as holiday destinations, meaning Hong Kong would become a convenient stopover for a quick shopping spree when the visa-free arrangement was in place. "Russians are good tourists," he said. "They like to spend money."
