BEIJING (Reuters) - 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. Each stay is for up to seven days, the official news agency said, with the multiple-entry visas valid for one year at a time.

According to a report by Xinhua on Friday, China has relaxed visa restrictions for Shenzhen residents traveling to Hong Kong, permitting multiple entries per year starting December 1.The new policy allows for stays of up to seven days per visit,

The number of Shenzhen residents eligible for the visa will increase to over 10 million, the Hong Kong government said in a statement, adding that the move will benefit tourism, catering and retail industries.

China has relaxed visa restrictions for Shenzhen residents travelling to Hong Kong, permitting multiple entries into the region each year starting December 1, Xinhua reported on Friday. The new policy allows for stays of up to seven days per visit,

Media baron Jimmy Lai, who protested for democracy, faces possible life sentence.

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.

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.