China has eased visa restrictions for Shenzhen residents visiting Hong Kong, allowing multiple entries into Hong Kong per year beginning from Dec. 1, Xinhua reported on Friday.

The previous restrictions were implemented in response to concerns from Hong Kong residents about parallel trading, where an influx of shoppers from the mainland bought everyday goods in Hong Kong to

China will restart visa-free entry for Japanese nationals to facilitate business and tourism, responding to a longstanding request from Tokyo as both countries seek to shore up ties.

Central authorities earlier announced multiple-entry visa scheme for Shenzhen residents would return on Sunday after policy was axed in 2015.

Shenzhen residents will soon be able to make more frequent trips to Hong Kong under the resumption of a multiple-entry visa scheme, which was suspended in 2015 owing to concerns about overcrowding in the city and unlicensed cross-border trade.

China has eased visa rules for Shenzhen residents traveling to Hong Kong, allowing unlimited visits within a year instead of the previous one-trip-per-week limit.