‘Satisfactory’ opening for revamped Huanggang crossing

The newly renovated Huanggang Port opened its doors after six years of redevelopment, marking the first border checkpoint between Hong Kong and mainland China to employ a "joint clearance" system for immigration. Located in Shenzhen, the facility has replaced the outdated Huanggang Port, providing more efficient travel options for residents.

With both Hong Kong and Shenzhen immigration procedures now consolidated within the building, clearance times have been drastically reduced to five minutes for foot travelers and two minutes for drivers. The opening ceremony on Sunday was attended by senior officials from Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangdong province, with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu calling it a "critical milestone" in cross-border connectivity.

Authorities installed 500 temporary signs inside the building and 300 more along the surrounding roads to assist new users. A user named Jie described the port as "bright and spacious," while Liao, a Shenzhen resident, praised the smooth clearance process and likened it to an airport. After the inauguration, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki confirmed the opening to be "satisfactory," emphasizing the need for staff to become familiar with operations to handle the anticipated passenger surge.

The renovated port boasts 134 automated channels and 64 manual counters, enabling it to process up to 300,000 passengers daily.