Hong Kong residents who are hit by 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 (Beijing Office) or the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region whenever necessary. In this connection, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has published a leaflet titled "Guide to Assistance Services to Hong Kong Residents in the Mainland" outlining the scope of assistance that can be provided.

(Reference: General information on the Mainland criminal laws and regulations relating to persons being arrested or under detention (Chinese version only) and "A brief introduction to Mainland Criminal Proceedings" (Chinese version only))

Assistance to those who have lost their travel documents and monies in the Mainland

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region assists to confirm the identity of the Hong Kong residents to facilitate them in applying for the exit documents from the Mainland Public Security Authorities for their return to Hong Kong. In November 2007, the GDETO set up a fund of advance cash to render further assistance to Hong Kong residents who have lost their monies in the Mainland. The GDETO would first contact the Hong Kong residents' family members to assist for their remittance from Hong Kong in meeting the needs of the assistance seekers in the Mainland. In the event that assistance could not be sought immediately from the family members, the GDETO could advance a suitable amount of money to the assistance seekers for maintaining their minimal needs and paying the transportation expenses for returning to Hong Kong, on conditions that the assistance seekers undertake to repay the sum in full and return to Hong Kong immediately.

Guide to Assistance Services to Hong Kong Residents in the Mainland