During the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint will operate around the clock for five consecutive days, from February 9 to 13, to facilitate mainland Chinese tourists. This move aims to enhance travel convenience during the festive season. Additionally, the Lo Wu checkpoint’s operating hours will be extended until 2 am during the same period.
John Lee, the city’s leader, announced this decision at a press conference, highlighting the collaborative effort between Shenzhen and Hong Kong authorities. He emphasized the importance of ensuring a positive experience for both citizens and tourists, expressing gratitude for the support of mainland Chinese government departments.
The announcement follows a situation during the New Year’s Eve celebrations when a large number of mainland Chinese tourists encountered difficulties with transportation and border crossings, leading to overcrowding and delays at MTR stations and checkpoints.
During the New Year’s Eve holiday, over 220,000 tourists visited Hong Kong from mainland China, with many returning to Shenzhen after the festivities. Currently, only Huanggang Port and the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge operate 24 hours a day. Images circulated online showed tourists waiting outside Huanggang Port for shuttle buses and resting at Sheung Shui MTR station, highlighting the need for improved transport and border-crossing arrangements.
In response to these challenges, Hong Kong authorities have pledged to review existing arrangements. Pro-establishment lawmakers have also called for the reintroduction of multiple-entry visas for Shenzhen residents to further promote tourism.
The government’s consideration of reintroducing multiple-entry visas follows the 2015 implementation of a once-a-week permit system, which replaced the previous multiple-entry visa scheme due to concerns raised by residents in the North District regarding parallel traders from Shenzhen.
The decision to extend the operating hours of the Shenzhen Bay and Lo Wu checkpoints reflects a commitment to improving cross-border travel experiences and fostering closer ties between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. As preparations for the Lunar New Year holiday continue, authorities aim to ensure smooth and efficient travel for all visitors during this festive period.
(Source: RTHK | HKFP)
