China: Whether flights between mainland China and Hong Kong or Macau are considered by authorities to be international flights (2014-August 2016)

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

Sources report that all flights departing from mainland China to Hong Kong and Macau are considered by the mainland authorities to be international flights (CTC 2 Aug. 2016; IATA 2 Aug. 2016).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a China-based representative of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), a Federal Crown Corporation, stated that for air passenger screening upon departure from the mainland to Hong Kong and Macau, security and immigration checks are the same as for all international flights departing mainland China (CTC 2 Aug. 2016). The same source also explained that holders of passports from the People's Republic of China require special travel documents for Taiwan or Hong Kong/Macau (ibid.). For information on travel documents and exit certificates for Chinese nationals traveling to these regions, see Response to Information Request ZZZ105050 and CHN105054. Similarly to the CTC representative, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, an assistant director responsible for aviation security at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) [1] indicated that flights departing from mainland China for Hong Kong/Macau or for Europe, for example, require the same security checks (IATA 2 Aug. 2016).

However, the CTC representative indicated that for Hong Kong, passengers in transit connecting to another international flight "do not need to clear customs/immigration but use the airside transit facility" and that this also applies to international transit through Macau (CTC 4 Aug. 2016). Similarly, the IATA Assistant Director stated that "transfer (connecting) passengers not leaving the airside of the airport (at [Hong Kong] or Macau) originating from Mainland China[,] do not have to go through [Hong Kong]/Macau immigration controls before getting on their next flight" (IATA 3 Aug. 2016). The source explained that "[t]his is consistent with the practice of most countries of the world, provided [that] passengers are flying international to international" (ibid.).

For further information on exit procedures at international airports in China, see Response to Information Request CHN105049. For further information on exit procedures at airports in China, see Response to Information Request CHN105153, and CHN104761.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] IATA is an airline industry association that comprises 265 airlines in 60 countries, and works to "promote safe, reliable, secure, and economical air travel" (IATA s.d.a). It includes 16 airlines in China, 4 in Hong Kong, and 1 in Macau (ibid. n.d.b).

References

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). 4 August 2016. Correspondence from a China-based representative to the Research Directorate.

_____. 2 August 2016. Correspondence from a China-based representative to the Research Directorate.

International Air Transport Association (IATA). 3 August 2016. Correspondence from an assistant director to the Research Directorate.

_____. 2 August 2016. Correspondence from an assistant director to the Research Directorate.

_____. N.d.a. "Frequently Asked Questions." [Accessed 4 Aug. 2016]

_____ N.d.b. "Current Airline Members." [Accessed 4 Aug. 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: China - Embassy of China; Canada - Permanent Mission of Canada to the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Internet sites, including: China - Civil Aviation Authority.