LCQ16: Cross-boundary arrangement for Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars

     Following is a question by the Hon Gary Zhang and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, in the Legislative Council today (April 24):
 
Question:
 
     It is learnt that at present, Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars with a Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private car regular quota and a valid Closed Road Permit for cross-boundary vehicles are allowed to cross the boundary via Lok Ma Chau Control Point (LMCCP) during overnight hours after the closure of the designated boundary control points (BCPs) at night or midnight, and such arrangement applies to BCPs not providing round-the-clock services. However, Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars allocated to use Heung Yuen Wai Control Point (HYWCP) are not allowed to cross the boundary via LMCCP after the closure of HYWCP at night. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the number of Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private car trips diverted to LMCCP for boundary crossing due to the closure of various designated BCPs at night or midnight in each month of the past 12 months (broken down by BCP allocated for use by such private cars); and

(2) of the reasons why Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars allocated to use HYWCP are not allowed to cross the boundary via LMCCP after the closure of HYWCP at night, and whether such private cars will be permitted to do so in the future; if so, of the timetable; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     At present, according to the arrangements agreed between Guangdong and Hong Kong, cross-boundary private cars holding the regular quota and closed road permit (the permit) for Lok Ma Chau Control Point can cross the border using that control point 24 hours a day. As for the cross-boundary private cars holding the regular quotas and permits for Shenzhen Bay, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok Control Points, they can cross the border using Lok Ma Chau Control Point during overnight period (i.e. from midnight to 6.30 the next morning) after the respective designated control points are closed. Cross-boundary private cars holding permits for various land control points (including Heung Yuen Wai Control Point) can cross the border using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port 24 hours a day.
      
     Having consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, our reply to the Hon Zhang's question is as follows:
 
(1) By each month in 2023, the numbers of trips of cross-boundary private cars that switch to use Lok Ma Chau Control Point after Shenzhen Bay, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok Control Points close at night are as follows: 
 

Note 1: Lok Ma Chau Control Point has resumed operations at normal opening hours after the full resumption of travel between the Mainland and Hong Kong in February 2023. 

Note 2: Cross-boundary passenger transport services at Sha Tau Kok Control Point remains suspended after the full resumption of travel between the Mainland and Hong Kong in February 2023. 

Note 3: As some cross-boundary private cars hold permits for more than one control points, the above list does not include breakdown by control points.

(2) To facilitate cross-boundary private cars to cross the border beyond the operating hours of the respective designated control points, Guangdong and Hong Kong agreed to allow cross-boundary private cars holding the regular quotas and permits for Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok Control Points, as well as the regular quota and permit for Shenzhen Bay Control Point to cross the border using Lok Ma Chau Control Point during overnight period starting from 2003 and 2008 respectively. Heung Yuen Wai Control Point was opened in 2020 and cross-boundary private cars began to use the control point after the full resumption of travel in February 2023. Currently, cross-boundary private cars holding the permit for that control point can cross the border using that control point from 7am to 10pm every day, as well as using the HZMB Hong Kong Port to cross the border 24 hours a day. Regarding the suggestion of allowing cross-boundary private cars holding the regular quota and permit for Heung Yuen Wai Control Point to use Lok Ma Chau Control Point during overnight period, the HKSAR Government is discussing with the relevant Mainland authorities and will release information in due course.