During the recent Golden Week holiday in mainland China, there were around 5.5 million arrivals and departures recorded at land border crossings, according to Security Minister Chris Tang. He mentioned at a security panel meeting that operations went smoothly during this period, thanks to the presence of additional staff at the checkpoints.
Tang also highlighted that the daily average number of inbound travelers at land checkpoints up until September this year was approximately 660,000, exceeding the figures from 2018. To further improve efficiency, officials are in talks with their counterparts in Shenzhen to extend the opening hours of certain ports.
Efforts are also underway to complete the redevelopment of the Huanggang Port facility by the end of next year. Once finished, the port will be capable of accommodating around 200,000 individuals daily. Additionally, collaborative inspection and joint clearance procedures will be implemented at the Huanggang Port and the Sha Tau Kok checkpoint. This approach, which has been in place at the Macau-Zhuhai border since 2018, streamlines the process for travelers by allowing them to have their documents checked only once at shared e-channels and counters.
Responding to inquiries about expanding joint border clearance to more ports for increased efficiency, Minister Tang explained that while it’s easier to implement such arrangements at newly built or redeveloped checkpoints, older ports like Lo Wu pose challenges due to space constraints. However, officials are exploring the possibility of introducing the clearance method at larger border points such as the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai port.
In another proposal by lawmaker Bill Tang, allowing Shenzhen vehicles to enter Hong Kong on Sundays was suggested as a way to stimulate the local economy through increased spending by middle-class drivers. While Minister Tang acknowledged the idea and mentioned plans to permit mainland passengers using the airport to park their vehicles there, he emphasized the need for further study before considering additional car allowances in the SAR.
Overall, the recent developments and discussions surrounding border crossings indicate ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and traveler experience at various land checkpoints between Hong Kong and mainland China. With plans for infrastructure upgrades and collaborative clearance procedures, the aim is to facilitate smoother and more convenient border crossings for all individuals involved.
