A SERIES of new measures to increase cross-border traffic with Hong Kong was announced by the Shenzhen Municipal Government yesterday.
They include the opening of two 24-hour-service passages at the Huanggang checkpoint - known as Lok Ma Chau on the Hong Kong side - and redeveloping the immigration and Customs hall at the Lowu checkpoint.
Twenty-four-hour Customs and immigration services will be available at the Huanggang checkpoint in August and the immigration and Customs facilities at the Lowu checkpoint are expected to double by next year.
The round-the-clock service is timed to coincide with the opening of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen expressway built by Hong Kong businessman Gordon Wu Ying-sheung.
The expressway, which will cut travelling time between Guangzhou and Hong Kong by more than half, is expected to carry traffic from July.
The Huanggang checkpoint will implement a new Customs declaration procedure from tomorrow to speed up traffic.
Shenzhen Vice-Mayor Zhang Hongyi said the expansion was urgently needed.