The governments of Shenzhen and the SAR are jointly studying a new rail link between Qianhai and the Northern Metropolis in Hong Kong, converging at the checkpoint. — China Daily
BEIJING: Shenzhen in South China’s Guangdong province is doubling down on efforts to smoothen the flow of people and cargo to and from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) by building and upgrading checkpoints.
Two new checkpoints in the pipeline are located in the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone.
Though Qianhai, designed by the State Council, or China’s Cabinet, in 2010, is a 20-minute drive away from the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint, a dedicated Customs station is expected to meet the rising demand for business exchanges, fuelled by 9,000 companies and 10,000 residents attracted to the zone from the SAR.
A possible location of the new checkpoint is at the under-construction Qianhai Comprehensive Transport Hub – a building complex encompassing metros, buses and intercity railways.
In addition, the governments of Shenzhen and the SAR are jointly studying a new rail link between Qianhai and the Northern Metropolis in Hong Kong, converging at the checkpoint.
In the Hetao zone, the two existing checkpoints already handle one of the largest cross-border passenger and vehicle traffic flows between the two cities. However, an adviser believes the new port should focus on scientific and research exchanges.
Ouyang Huiyu, a member of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, has proposed to explore the possibilities of electronic visa and contactless clearance by leveraging the zone’s unique advantages.
According to the development plan for Shenzhen Park of the Hetao zone issued by the State Council last year, the central government supports it to promote international scientific and technological innovation and build a first-class scientific and technological platform with Hong Kong.
Liu Weixiang, director of the Office of Port Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, said the old Huanggang Port and Sha Tau Kok Port are set to be rebuilt, getting rid of their cargo inspection functions and enhancing traveller inspection capabilities. — China Daily/ANN
