Shenzhen Bay crossing between Hong Kong and mainland China to open around the clock over Lunar New Year, extended hours at Lo Wu
- Chief Executive John Lee praises ‘very smooth’ negotiations with mainland Chinese authorities, announces extension of operating hours for holiday period
- Out of 7.5 million cross-border trips, 80 per cent will take place at Lo Wu but crossing cannot open overnight as MTR Corp needs to carry out rail checks, official says
The government on Tuesday said it expected Lo Wu to be the busiest control point during the holiday period between February 10 and 13, with cross-border and cross-departmental efforts put in place to ensure smooth operations.
Earlier, city leader John Lee Ka-chiu said negotiations with mainland Chinese authorities on arrangements had been “very smooth”.
“The process has been very smooth this time as we managed to reach a consensus with the Shenzhen authorities in a short period of time,” he said before his weekly Executive Council meeting, while thanking the mainland authorities for their support.
“It also shows that Hong Kong and Shenzhen are working together closely, sharing the same goals, and value the experience and feelings of residents and tourists.”
The Shenzhen Bay checkpoint, connecting the western areas of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, will be open 24 hours for a five-day period from Lunar New Year’s Eve on February 9 to February 13.