Easier road, rail, yacht crossings set for Greater Bay

Hong Kong is advancing plans to streamline cross-border travel, as part of its strategy to bolster integration within the Greater Bay Area, according to Transport Secretary Mable Chan. The government will continue to bolster the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles and Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles schemes, as outlined in Hong Kong's inaugural five-year plan and the recent Policy Address.

In tandem with these efforts, the Marine Department and the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration are set to finalize two working arrangements concerning yacht travel schemes. Chan anticipates the public unveiling of improvements pertaining to southbound travel for Guangdong yachts by October.

Moreover, the government is introducing enhancements and support measures to these schemes concurrently. For instance, examination centers for yacht captains from mainland China have been established in Nansha, enabling them to take tests in their home territory regarding Hong Kong waters, eliminating the need to travel to Hong Kong. The response to this initiative has been positive.

Chan further detailed two additional measures: yachts will be permitted to utilize different anchorages in Hong Kong waters, and a dynamic system will monitor their movements. This change relaxes the current mandate that yachts can only dock at fixed marina facilities, allowing them to utilize designated anchorages instead. Regarding railway progress, Chan revealed that the Northern Link and the Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai segment of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link are slated to open in 2034 and 2035, respectively. A preliminary proposal to extend the Western Rail Link further south is expected next year.