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More automated border clearance systems to be introduced at Lo Wu

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Updated at 2.00pm: The Immigration Department would add six more ?e-channels? ? automated immigration clearance systems ? to the Lo Wu Border Crossing before the Chinese New Year, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong said on Monday.

The ?e-channels? allow permanent residents with smart identity cards to clear immigration checkpoints by inserting their smart identity cards into a reader and placing their thumbs on a scanner. Currently, three ?e-channels? are operating at the Lo Wu Border Crossing.

Some 72,000 people have used the systems since the trial-run began about two weeks ago. Mr Lee said the public response had mostly been positive.

The new system allows travellers to clear immigration check points in an average time of nine seconds compared with 13 seconds under the old system. The department plans to install 270 ?e-channels? at all border crossings by 2006.

This would cover roughly 30 per cent of Hong Kong?s border-crossing channels, explained Mr Lee. He also said e-channels would eventually be introduced at Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok.

?[The e-channel system] will allow us to save on staff costs,? said Mr Lee. ?It will also give us greater flexibility in dealing with sudden surges of people, for example during major holidays.?

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