In 2023, the number of cross-border vehicles entering Chinese mainland from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region was about 1.41 million, according to the latest statistics released by the Zhuhai General Frontier Inspection Station.
A total of 7.826 million vehicles passed through the Gongbei Checkpoint, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), Zhuhai Port, Hengqin Port and Maoshengwei Port last year, setting an all-time high.
The driving north travel program took effect on January 1, 2023 for Macao and July 1, 2023 for Hong Kong. The scheme allows eligible vehicles to travel between the two special administrative regions and Guangdong via the mega sea-crossing bridge.
Since 2023, the Zhuhai General Frontier Inspection Station has been ensuring and promoting the integrated development between Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
The passenger flow at the cross-border ports adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao has increased month by month, with the highest daily passenger flow exceeding 637,900.
As of December 31, 2023, more than 6,000 travelers holding ordinary passports of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia entered China via ports in Zhuhai since the implementation of the unilateral visa-free entry policy for the six countries on December 1.
According to the Zhuhai Inspection Station, the soaring immigration data shows the vitality of an open economy and the highly active economic, trade, and personnel exchanges in the GBA.
In the next step, the station will further explore innovative approaches, optimize the inspection mode, and launch more exit and entry policies to facilitate the travel of residents and enterprises.
Reporter | Fanny, Rina (Intern)
Editor | Nan, Monica, James
Photo | Nanfang Plus
