Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Hong Kong is set to launch a long-anticipated cross-border travel scheme this November that will allow private car owners from Guangdong province to drive into the city. The policy, titled the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, will begin a month earlier than previously planned, according to Transport Minister Mable Chan.

Under the new arrangement, eligible drivers will be allowed to enter Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Initially, authorities will cap the number of daily entries at 100 to ensure smooth implementation. Officials say the quota may be increased in the future, depending on the outcome of the first phase.

Chan said the scheme is a significant step toward enhancing connectivity between Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area, a region seen as central to China’s future economic development. She emphasized the need for an orderly rollout to ensure road safety and policy effectiveness.

To qualify, drivers must complete several requirements, including car inspection, purchase of insurance, and a successful application for a single-entry permit. Additionally, both the driver and the vehicle license holder must be the same person at the time of application.

Vehicles entering under this scheme will be allowed to park at Hong Kong International Airport, where 1,800 automated parking spaces are planned on an artificial island near the facility.

The scheme allows for a short stay in Hong Kong, though the exact permitted duration is yet to be finalized. The idea of allowing private vehicles from Guangdong into Hong Kong has been in discussion for years, with initial expectations pointing to a launch by late 2024. The earlier rollout is seen as a boost to regional integration efforts and a new chapter in cross-border mobility.