130k people used Huanggang over long weekend: Tang
The new Huanggang border crossing facility is operating smoothly but still has room for improvement, Security Minister Chris Tang said on Friday, as he revealed that daily passenger traffic has hit 130,000 during the three-day Chung Yeung festival holiday. Speaking on a radio programme, Tang said the new port is handling about 83,000 passengers on ordinary days – more than double the volume of…
Security Minister Chris Tang reported on Friday that the newly opened Huanggang border crossing facility handled 130,000 passengers daily during the three-day Chung Yeung festival holiday, a significant increase from the 83,000 passengers processed on regular days. The facility's capacity is nearly double that of the old crossing.
The peak period on Saturday saw queues of up to one hour, more than nine times longer than usual peak hour waits of 15 minutes. The one-stop inspection system remains faster than previous procedures, with travellers processing through a single check. Tang identified areas for improvement, noting that some travellers haven't pre-registered for e-channel services and children under seven must use manual counters.
The authorities plan to enhance crowd management. Non-Chinese passport holders are required to fill out forms, with Hong Kong authorities assisting them during wait times. The new crossing can open 90 departure counters, 60 electronic channels and 30 manual ones. However, manual counters require simultaneous operation from both SAR and mainland staff.
Tang thanked frontline staff for their hard work under immense pressure and acknowledged the need for additional manpower and extended working hours. For the upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen next month, Tang emphasized the need for thorough security preparations if Very Important Persons travel via Hong Kong, despite expecting minimal impact on ordinary citizens.
He warned against illegal activities using Hong Kong as a gateway to the mainland and will monitor for drone disruptions.
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- 130k people used Huanggang over long weekend: Tang news.rthk.hk
