{
  "id": 4168110,
  "title": "Tang says easier Huanggang crossings on the card",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/tang-says-easier-huanggang-crossings-on-the-card",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T10:09:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK News",
    "slug": "rthk-news",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1868070-20260829.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Secretary for Security Chris Tang announced that travellers using e-Channels at the revamped Huanggang Port will soon be able to make the crossing using either their Hong Kong ID card or home-return permit. This announcement came as the government conducted its final stress test at the port facility on Saturday, which involved 20,000 civil servants. The new setup, called joint clearance, allows travellers to only queue once for document and identity verification, eliminating the need to pass through separate immigration checkpoints on both sides. Tang expressed hopes that this improved setup would make cross-border travel much more convenient, stating, \"I would like to announce that now for passengers using our e-Channels, whether you are going to the mainland or come back from the mainland to Hong Kong, you can use either your Hong Kong ID card or your [home-return permit].\" During the stress test, all 202 immigration counters and e-Channels were tested, and about 300 vehicles participated in a joint one-stop lanes stress test, where waiting times were expected to stay under 10 minutes per vehicle, even during peak hours. Custom officials also demonstrated the deployment of X-ray machines and sniffer dogs for vehicle inspections. The drill was deemed smooth and successful by Tang, with clearance times staying under 15 minutes for each traveller. He acknowledged there was room for improvement in Wi-Fi connectivity after some participants reported slow speeds, and promised an internal review before deciding on the need for another drill.",
  "summary": "Travellers using e-Channels at the redeveloped Huanggang Port would be able to use either their Hong Kong ID card or the home-return permit to make the crossing. The announcement by Secretary for Security Chris Tang came as the government conducted its fourth and final stress test at the port facility on Saturday, which saw 20,000 civil servants take part. The port adopts a \"joint clearance\"…",
  "key_points": [
    "Travellers can use Hong Kong ID card or home-return permit for Huanggang crossings.",
    "Joint clearance system reduces queueing to a single document and identity verification.",
    "Stress test with 20,000 civil servants and 300 vehicles passed successfully."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK English",
        "title": "Tang says easier Huanggang crossings on the card",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/tang-says-easier-huanggang-crossings-on-the-card-4168693",
        "published": "2026-08-29T10:09:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}