Shenzhen, HK sign Huanggang Checkpoint clearance agreement

Shenzhen and Hong Kong signed agreements yesterday to establish a joint clearance framework at the redeveloped Huanggang Checkpoint, advancing plans for a faster, round-the-clock passenger crossing between the two places.

Shenzhen Vice Mayor Luo Huanghao (L) and Hong Kong Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung pose for a photo after signing the Co-operation Arrangement between the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Implementation of Colocation Arrangement at the Huanggang Port in Hong Kong yesterday. Courtesy of HKSAR Information Services Department

Under the arrangement, travelers will be able to complete both Shenzhen and Hong Kong clearance procedures at the same port building instead of passing through separate facilities.

The chekpoint will use a “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” system under which eligible travelers will present their documents or biometric information once for checks by authorities on both sides. Travelers using staffed counters will also need to queue only once.

Authorities estimate that the new system will cut overall clearance time from about 30 minutes at the existing Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Checkpoint to approximately five minutes.

The Hong Kong Port Area within the redeveloped crossing will be established at midnight Firday and come under the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in accordance with HKSAR laws. 

The governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong will announce the official opening date after confirming that the checkpoint is ready for safe and smooth operation.

Shenzhen Vice Mayor Luo Huanghao and Hong Kong Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung signed the Co-operation Arrangement between the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Implementation of Colocation Arrangement at the Huanggang Port at the Hong Kong government headquarters.

Liu Weixiang, director of the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, and Hong Kong Deputy Secretary for Security Joceline Chui also signed an agreement granting the HKSAR Government the right to use the Hong Kong Port Area and related extended areas.

An aerial view of the redeveloped Huanggang Checkpoint. Ning Jiewen

Under that agreement, the HKSAR Government will lease the area until June 30, 2047, for a nominal annual rent of 1,000 yuan (US$140). Shenzhen will bear the design and construction costs of the entire redevelopment project, including the Hong Kong Port Area.

The redeveloped Huanggang Checkpoint is designed to handle 200,000 passenger trips a day, compared with about 40,000 at the existing crossing. Capacity could rise to approximately 300,000 trips after the future MTR Northern Link Spur Line enters service.

The checkpoint will remain open 24 hours a day and serve passenger traffic rather than freight.