Easier road, rail, yacht crossings set for Greater Bay

Hong Kong is making significant strides in cross-boundary travel improvements as part of its broader goal to strengthen integration within the Greater Bay Area, according to Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan. The government is set to further enhance the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles and Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles schemes, as outlined in Hong Kong's first five-year plan and the recent Policy Address.

In a related development, the Marine Department and the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration will soon finalize two working arrangements concerning yacht travel schemes, with an expected announcement by October.

Chan emphasized that the government is simultaneously introducing changes and support measures to these schemes. When the Northbound Travel for Yachts from Hong Kong was initially launched, the Marine Department had already established examination centers in Nansha, enabling captains from the mainland to take tests on the mainland regarding Hong Kong waters, thereby avoiding the need to travel to Hong Kong.

The response has been positive, and the government aims to further relax current requirements by allowing yachts to utilize various anchorages within Hong Kong waters and by implementing a dynamic system for monitoring these anchorages. Additionally, railway developments are also on the horizon, with the Northern Link expected to open in 2034 and the Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai section of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link slated for completion by 2035.

A proposal to extend the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link further south is anticipated to be released next year.