The southern city of Guangzhou will simplify formalities for endorsing travel permits to Hong Kong and Macao next year. 

The Shenzhen Daily reports starting from mid-January, Guangdong Province will start installing DIY endorsement machines throughout the province.

The machines will take application forms, travel permits and accept payments automatically. Applicants need only to press the appropriate button as specified by the machine.

Meanwhile, Guangzhou will also launch express mail services for travel permits in the next six months, to save applicants the trouble of going to public security bureaus.

The paper says the number of travel permit applicants has been rising rapidly since solo tours to Hong Kong and Macao have been permitted last year. With so many people applying for solo trips, the applicants previously had to wait two days to submit their application forms.

(CRIENGLISH.com December 23, 2004)