The clearance hall for car passengers at Hengqin Port, which facilitates the entry and exit of travelers by car, has handled over 1.46 million passengers in its first year of operation. The hall, which opened on April 9, 2024, has become a vital component of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin's efforts to enhance cross-border travel efficiency.

Boosting cross-border travel efficiency

The clearance hall for car passengers, located in the center of the joint one-stop inspection area for inbound and outbound lanes at Hengqin Port, has significantly improved the travel experience for cross-border commuters. According to statistics from the Hengqin Checkpoint, the hall has processed over 1.46 million passengers, with 70% hailing from Hong Kong and Macao.

The hall's operation has streamlined the process for passengers, reducing the need to detour through the main passenger inspection hall. For outbound passengers heading to Macao, the process is particularly efficient, with an average inspection time of just 20 seconds. This efficiency has made the hall a preferred choice for many travelers.

Rising passenger flow

The passenger flow through the hall for car passengers has shown a steady increase. In the first month of operation, the hall processed 55,000 passengers, which jumped to 94,000 in the following month—a 69% increase. By March of this year, the monthly passenger flow had stabilized at over 150,000, marking an 182% increase from the initial period.

During the Spring Festival holiday this year, the hall set new records for daily passenger flow, peaking at over 12,000 passengers in a single day. To manage the high volume of travelers, the Hengqin Border Inspection Station implemented measures such as dynamic switching between manual and fast lanes and increased police support to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Looking ahead, the Hengqin Checkpoint plans to further enhance cross-border travel convenience by implementing measures such as inspection without document presentation and inspection without the need for passengers to exit their cars. These initiatives aim to support policies such as the multiple entry permit to facilitate smoother travel between Hengqin and Macao, deepening the integration of the two regions and promoting greater regional cooperation and development.