MAINLAND holders of Olympic Identity and Accreditation Card (OIAC) will be granted a stay in Hong Kong and Macao for a period of no more than 90 days between June 1 and Sept. 23, a Beijing newspaper reported yesterday.

OIAC is a personalized card granted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), through the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG), which confers on holders the right to attend the Olympic Games.

The policy is designed for the convenience of mainland residents who want to watch Olympic equestrian events to be held in Hong Kong in August, a Beijing Morning Post report said yesterday.

OIAC holders on the mainland must apply to public security authorities for an Olympic permit and exit-entry permits for travel to and from Hong Kong and Macao. Public security authorities in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Chongqing municipalities, and the provinces of Hebei, Liaoning, Shandong and Guangdong are authorized to issue the permits.

In addition, foreign journalists who hold a valid OIAC will not need a visa during the Olympic Games in China.

All foreign OIAC holders will be allowed multiple entries to China from July to September.

(Li Jing)