# 中新免簽後，在新加坡被捕的中國籍短期訪客最新情況通報

URL: https://www.shicheng.news/zh-hant/v/YAg76
Published: 2024-09-27
Source: 獅城新聞

2024年9月9日，新加坡內政部政務部長孫雪玲在國會答覆非選區議員梁文輝有關被捕的中國籍短期訪客人數等相關問題。

**以下內容為新加坡眼根據國會英文資料翻譯整理：**  

梁文輝（非選區議員）先生詢問內政部長：

自2024年2月9日中新30天互免簽證生效以來，被捕的中國籍短期訪客人數和百分比是否有所增加？

自2024年5月以來，所有外國人都可以通過樟宜機場的自動通道入境而無需向移民官員出示身份，這是否增加了非真正旅客進入新加坡的風險？

孫雪玲(內政部政務部長，代表內政部長)：議長先生，梁文輝先生提出這個問題可能是由於最近發生的入室盜竊案，這些盜竊案似乎與涉及中國公民的外國犯罪集團有關。警方此前曾就此事提供過全面的最新資料：3名中國公民被捕，另外14名中國公民引起了警方的關注，但他們仍在海外。

直接回答梁先生的問題，自今年2月實施互免簽證安排以來，在新加坡被捕的中國短期訪客人數和百分比都沒有增加。即使考慮到我之前提到的14名中國公民，在新加坡被捕的中國訪客百分比也低於去年的相應百分比。

簽證制度並不是把不受歡迎的人拒之門外的萬全之策。它使我們能夠在個人前往新加坡之前對他們進行預先審查。如果他們有令人擔憂的犯罪前科，他們的簽證申請將被拒絕。申請簽證和提交證明文件的必要性也起到了威懾作用。但是，任何簽證制度都不能完全杜絕不受歡迎的訪客，也不能阻止他們在這裡犯罪。

移民與關卡局 (ICA) 採用基於風險的多層次方法，來評估外國旅客在檢查站的情況。多年來，系統不斷升級，檢查變得更加嚴格，整體安全水平也得到了提高。梁先生可能會驚訝地發現，隨著 ICA 的新通關概念和自動通關的實施，被拒絕進入新加坡的旅客比例實際上有所增加。為什麼呢？因為現在檢查更深入到上游，而且我們更廣泛地利用技術。

在旅客抵達前，ICA 利用先進的乘客信息，包括航班清單和新加坡入境卡上的信息，進行數據分析，並通過綜合目標中心對旅客進行風險評估。

抵達後，所有旅客（包括走自動通道的旅客）都要對照一份關注人員名單以及被 ICA 綜合目標中心標記為高風險的旅客進行篩查。這些人將被攔下，接受更嚴格的移民和安全檢查。

ICA 的自動通道由生物識別技術提供支持。重複入境的旅客，包括那些曾在新加坡犯罪的旅客，如果試圖通過不同的身份入境，我們的生物識別資料庫將對他們進行標記，因為我們在他們上次訪問時已經採集了他們的生物識別特徵。

由於我們已經實現了更多流程的自動化，因此可以部署更多的 ICA 官員在自動出入境通道對旅客進行特徵分析，這是對後端風險評估的補充。那些被發現有可疑行為的人將被篩選出來接受詢問。

梁先生的問題可能是出於對外國人在新加坡犯罪的擔憂。要確保外國人不會在新加坡犯罪，唯一的辦法就是關閉邊境。但這樣做會破壞新加坡的經濟。新加坡和新加坡人受益於外國人（包括來自中國的外國人）帶來的旅遊收入和就業機會。舉例來說，截至2023年12月，旅遊業為新加坡帶來272億新元的旅遊收入，並僱傭了超過71,000名員工。在過去10年中，從2014年到 2023年（不包括因 COVID-19 大流行而造成的 2020 年到 2022 年）中，旅遊業平均貢獻了新加坡國內生產總值（GDP）的 3%。

除了是重要的經濟貢獻者，旅遊業在鞏固新加坡作為一個充滿活力的全球城市的地位方面也發揮著至關重要的作用，它是吸引資本、企業和人才的磁石。旅遊業還提高了當地居民休閒選擇的質量和多樣性，有助於創造一個新加坡人可以自豪地稱之為家的生活環境。如果我們築起高牆，將遊客拒之門外，就無法實現這些雄心壯志。

我們的鄰國馬來西亞和泰國也推出了促進旅遊業發展的舉措。例如，為了吸引中國遊客，他們實施了免簽政策、增加了航班頻率，並推廣吸引中國遊客的文化活動和娛樂體驗。

與中國互免簽證是經過仔細評估和權衡後作出的決定，安全、犯罪和移民風險是可控的，經濟和雙邊利益將是巨大的，總體而言，與中國達成這一安排符合新加坡的利益。

議長：有請梁文輝先生。

梁文輝（非選區議員）：議長先生，謝謝政務部長的答覆。我有一個補充問題。但首先，我想強調的是，我和新加坡前進黨（PSP）從未倡導過一個封閉的新加坡。我們明白開放社會和開放經濟的好處。但隨著時間的推移，外國人或外國遊客的數量不斷增加，我認為我們需要採取更多的措施來保護我們國家和社會的安全。

因此，我有一個補充問題。鑒於一些中國公民來到新加坡犯下罪行，如詐騙、洗錢，現在甚至還有入室盜竊，政府是否考慮對這些跨境犯罪活動採取更嚴厲的懲罰措施？我認為，除了政務部長剛才解釋的所有措施外，我們還需要增加對來新加坡犯罪的人的威懾力。

孫雪玲女士：感謝梁先生的補充問題。首先，謝謝他確認了新加坡前進黨（PSP）的立場，即保持新加坡對外國人和遊客的開放，因為這對新加坡的經濟至關重要，對新加坡繼續成為居民和遊客都充滿活力的地方。

關於跨國犯罪，它涉及多個方面。有販賣人口、販毒；有網絡詐騙。入室盜竊並不完全是一種跨國犯罪，但我認為梁先生在提到這一點時，是指那些可能來新加坡犯下此類罪行的外國人。多年來，我們一直在修訂我國的刑事程序法（Criminal Procedure Code）和刑事法典（Penal Code），以加強我們的措施，將所有這些罪行都考慮在內。梁先生也會熟悉我們最近採取的一系列措施，以及今後在網絡詐騙方面取得的進展。

因此，我同意梁議員所說，由於訪客數目不斷增加，而且越來越多人利用科 技進行跨國罪行，我們必須經常監察和檢討我們的法例，以確保這些法例能顧 及罪行不斷演變的性質。

因此，我同意梁先生的觀點，即隨著遊客人數的增加，而且越來越多人利用科技實施跨國犯罪，我們必須經常監督和審查我們的法律，以確保它們考慮到犯罪不斷變化的性質。

![中新免簽後，在新加坡被捕的中國籍短期訪客最新情況通報](https://www.shicheng.news/images/image/1751/17516048.avif?0)





以下是英文質詢內容：

**NUMBER OF SOCIAL VISIT PASS HOLDERS FROM CHINA WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED**

11 Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the number and percentage of social visit pass holders from China who have been arrested has increased since the 30-day visa exemption arrangement became effective on 9 February 2024; and (b) whether the ability of all foreigners to enter via automated lanes at Changi Airport without presenting themselves before an immigration officer since May 2024 has increased the risk of persons who are not bona fide travellers entering Singapore.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Ms Sun Xueling) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Mr Leong Mun Wai's question may have been prompted by the recent burglaries which appear to be linked to foreign syndicates involving Chinese nationals. The Police had previously provided a comprehensive update on this issue. Three Chinese nationals have been arrested. Another 14 Chinese nationals are of interest to the Police, but they remain overseas.

To answer Mr Leong's question directly, there has been no increase in the number or percentage of short-term visitors from China arrested in Singapore since the mutual visa exemption arrangements were implemented in February this year. Even if we take into account the 14 Chinese nationals I referred to earlier, the percentage of Chinese visitors arrested in Singapore would be lower than the corresponding percentage last year.

A visa regime is not a foolproof way to keep unwanted characters away. It enables us to pre-screen individuals before they travel to Singapore. If they have antecedents of concern, their visa application will be rejected. The need to apply for a visa and to submit supporting documentation also acts as a deterrence. But no visa regime will completely weed out undesirable visitors and neither will it stop them from committing crimes here.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) adopts a risk-based, multi-layered approach to assess a foreign traveller when he is at our checkpoints. Over the years, the systems have been upgraded, the checks have become more robust and the overall level of security has been enhanced. It may surprise Mr Leong to know that the percentage of travellers who are refused entry into Singapore has, in fact, increased with ICA's new clearance concept and automated clearance. Why? Because checks are now further upstream and we leverage technology even more extensively.

Pre-arrival, ICA uses advanced passenger information, including flight manifests and information from the SG Arrival Card, to conduct data analytics and a risk assessment of travellers through its Integrated Targeting Centre.

Upon arrival, all travellers, including those at the automated lanes, are screened against a watchlist of persons of interest as well as those who have been flagged by ICA's Integrated Targeting Centre to be of higher risk. Such individuals are stopped for more stringent immigration and security checks.

ICA's automated lanes are supported by biometrics. Repeat travellers, including those who had committed crimes in Singapore, who try to enter via a different identity, will be flagged by our biometric database because we would have captured their biometrics on their previous visit.

Because we have automated more processes, more ICA officers can be deployed to conduct profiling of travellers at the automated immigration lanes, which complements the back-end risk assessment. Those spotted to be exhibiting suspicious behaviour will be sieved out for questioning.

Mr Leong's questions may have been prompted by fears of foreigners committing crimes in Singapore. The only way we can be sure that foreigners will not commit crimes here is to close our borders to them. But doing so would destroy Singapore's economy. Singapore and Singaporeans benefit from the tourism revenue and employment opportunities that foreigners, including those from China, bring. Just as an example, the tourism sector contributed $27.2 billion in tourism receipts in 2023 and employed more than 71,000 workers as of December 2023. The sector also contributed, on average, 3% of Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) over the last 10 years, from 2014 to 2023, excluding 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to being an important economic contributor, tourism plays an essential role in reinforcing Singapore's status as a vibrant global city that is a magnet for capital, businesses and talent. It also enhances the quality and diversity of leisure options for local residents and helps to create a living environment that Singaporeans can be proud to call home. There is no way to realise these ambitions if we erect walls and keep visitors out.

Our neighbours, Malaysia and Thailand, have also rolled out initiatives to boost tourism. For instance, to attract Chinese visitors, they have implemented visa exemption, increased flight frequencies and promoted cultural and entertainment experiences that appeal to Chinese travellers.

The mutual visa exemption with China was a carefully assessed and weighed decision, that the security, criminal and immigration risks were manageable, that the economic and bilateral benefits would be significant and that, overall, it is in Singapore's interests to have this arrangement with China.

Mr Speaker: Mr Leong Mun Wai.

Mr Leong Mun Wai (Non-Constituency Member): Sir, I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I have one supplementary question. But first of all, I would like to stress that neither I nor the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) have ever advocated for a closed Singapore. We understand the benefits of an open society and open economy. But as the number of foreigners or foreign visitors increase over time, I think we will need additional measures to protect the security of our country and our society.

As such, I have one supplementary question. Given that some of the Chinese nationals have come to Singapore and committed crimes, like scams, money laundering and, now, even burglaries, is the Government considering tougher penalties on these cross-border criminal activities? I think we need to, in addition to all the measures that the Minister of State had explained just now, also increase the deterrent on people coming to Singapore and committing crimes.

Ms Sun Xueling: I thank Mr Leong for his supplementary question. First and foremost, I thank him for confirming the PSP's stance to keep Singapore open to foreigners and to visitors, because that is critical to Singapore's economy and to continue to have Singapore be a vibrant place for residents and visitors alike.

On transnational crime, there are various aspects to it. There is human trafficking, drug trafficking; there are online scams. Burglary is not exactly a transnational crime, but I think when Mr Leong referred to it, he meant it in terms of foreigners who may come to Singapore to commit such crimes. Over the years, we have been revising our Criminal Procedure Code and Penal Code to enhance our measures to take into account all these offences. Mr Leong would also be familiar with the whole slew of measures that we have undertaken recently and also moving forward when it comes to online scams.

So, I take Mr Leong's point that with increasing number of visitors and not only that, with the increasing use of technology to commit transnational crimes, that we must always monitor and review our laws to make sure that they take into account the evolving nature of crimes.

RL丨編輯

HQ丨編審

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