The citizens of Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Somalia will require a visa to enter Hong Kong, even on transit, from July 11, according to a government press release on Monday.

Hong Kong Immigration Department said on Monday that this was due to security and immigration control reasons.

Currently, nationals of Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia can visit Hong Kong visa-free for up to 14 days, while Somalis require a visa unless in transit.

Hong Kong has a liberal visa policy under which nationals of about 170 countries and territories can visit the special administrative region visa-free and stay for up to 180 days.

The department regularly reviews its visa policies and taking into account social, economic and political situations around the world. It reviews its policies in light of ongoing developments.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2005)