Huanggang Port co-location arrangements endorsed

Hong Kong's sole delegate to the country's top legislature said the National People's Congress Standing Committee has passed a bill endorsing co-location arrangements for the Huanggang Port. Starry Lee made the remarks in Beijing after attending this week's NPC Standing Committee session. "Under this system, travellers complete both exit and entry immigration and customs procedures at the same location," she said. "Based on the document we have, (there will be) over 100 automated fast-track channels and 68 manual counters. Clearance time is expected to drop from about 30 minutes to roughly five minutes." She added that the new facilities "further help Hong Kong to integrate and serve the national 15th Five-Year Plan, and further enhance the mutual communication within the Greater Bay Area." According to Lee, the bill authorised the SAR to manage the Hong Kong side of the redeveloped port. Lee, who's also the Legco president, said the SAR's legislature will expedite its vetting work to ensure the Huanggang Port can start operations as soon as possible. She said Legco will begin its work as soon as the State Council confirms the open date and the SAR government tables the relevant local legislation. Edited by Edmond Fong