The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Three-Places-One-Lock Scheme (Scheme) was officially launched today (March 8), with the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; the Director General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Man-chong; and the Deputy Director General of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, Mr Feng Guoqing, officiating at the launch ceremony held at the DHL Central Asia Hub (CAH). The first batch of transshipment cargo was successfully delivered to the Macao clearance point from DHL CAH via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and the newly constructed Macao Cross-Border Cargo Transfer Terminal in the vicinity of the HZMB Macao Port today.
Under the Scheme, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Customs conducted real-time monitoring on the batch of transshipment cargo using e-locks and GPS technology, enabling the transportation truck to arrive in Macao directly via the HZMB Hong Kong Port and avoiding duplicate inspections by Customs authorities.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr Yau said he looks forward to the further development of the Scheme to establish more clearance points across the country, and better facilitate the trade in conjunction with Hong Kong's closely knit transportation network covering air, land and sea.
In her speech, Ms Ho expressed her gratitude for the dedicated support and co-ordination of the Customs administrations of Guangdong and Macao, as well as that of the business partners of the industries. She stressed that Hong Kong Customs will leverage its strengths to meet the needs of the country, fully dovetail with national strategies and actively integrate into the overall development of the country.
The Scheme has connected Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The new "green lane", under the speedy development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), also enhances cargo clearance efficiency and unleashes unlimited business opportunities for the logistics industries of the three sides. At the same time, the Scheme facilitates trade and commerce development and consolidates Hong Kong's leading position as an international logistics hub.
To accelerate the development of logistics and trade in the GBA, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Customs have been engaging in close communication and co-operation. In 2016, Guangdong and Hong Kong Customs implemented the Single E-lock Scheme, while the Mainland and Macao Customs launched the Guangdong-Macao Customs Single E-lock Scheme in 2020.
About 100 guests, including representatives of the Customs administrations of the Mainland and Macao, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officials of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Legislative Council, representatives of the Airport Authority Hong Kong and members of associations and liaison groups in logistics and transport industries, as well as private stakeholders, attended the launch ceremony.