On May 7, cross-border travel between Zhuhai and Macao SAR became even more seamless following the official launch of a "card-less" facial recognition clearance system for vehicles at the Hengqin and Gongbei checkpoints.
The upgrade, which streamlines the inspection process for drivers, has already improved overall clearance efficiency by approximately 10% during its initial rollout.
Starting early on the morning of May 7, the Hengqin Port activated 30 joint one-stop lanes, while the Gongbei Port simultaneously debuted its smart facial recognition mode for inbound and outbound vehicles.
Mr. Tong, a Macao resident, was among the first to experience the upgrade and he praised the transition for its convenience. He stated that the process felt remarkably smooth and saved him about 10 seconds compared to the traditional method.
For many frequent travelers like Mr. Tong, the ability to pass through by simply scanning their face and providing a fingerprint eliminates the inconvenience of fumbling for physical ID cards or the anxiety of occasionally forgetting them.
This boost in speed is backed by extensive data collected during a rigorous trial phase. According to the Hengqin Border Inspection Station, which tested the system with over 210,000 vehicle crossings prior to its official launch, the port's overall efficiency has increased by a significant margin.
Specifically, inbound vehicles now save an average of 8 seconds during clearance, while outbound traffic has seen an even greater improvement, with average wait times reduced by 10 seconds per vehicle.
Despite the transition to a digital, biometric-based process, border authorities reminded the public that this is not a "document-free" travel policy. Drivers must still carry their valid physical entry-exit documents at all times to facilitate manual identity verification or spot checks by personnel as needed.
The synchronized upgrade at Hengqin and Gongbei represents a significant step toward integrating inspection workflows between Guangdong and Macao. Moving forward, border stations plan to deploy additional staff to guide drivers through the new system while closely monitoring software stability.
For more information, please refer to: https://www.hengqin.gov.cn/macao_en/xwbb/content/post_3902417.html
Reporter: Guo Chuhua
Video script: Dai Bosi
Cameramen: Guan Mingrong, Huang Tianru
Video editor: Guo Hongda
