Car owners in Shenzhen have long hoped for the opportunity to drive to Hong Kong on their own, and this dream may come true early next month. Residents could also enjoy the convenience of driving themselves to and from Hong Kong for casual errands.
At the 17th Working Meeting of the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Joint Conference recently held in Hong Kong, both sides confirmed the implementation of the “2012 Key Work Arrangements” under the “Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Framework Agreement,” which includes “accelerating preparations for the implementation of one-time temporary cross-border small vehicle travel between Guangdong and Hong Kong.” It is reported that a pilot program will be launched at the Shenzhen Bay Port in March this year, with further exploration and refinement of the arrangements.
This means that residents of Shenzhen may realize their wish to drive to Hong Kong as early as next month. This marks another new highlight in cross-border self-driving tourism to Hong Kong since the launch of the Individual Visit Scheme for residents of cities including Shenzhen in 2003.
According to information, based on the “2012 Key Work Arrangements” for implementing the “Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Framework Agreement” jointly issued by both sides last month, if there are no changes, the pilot program for one-time Guangdong-Hong Kong self-driving tours will commence next month at the Shenzhen Bay Port.
It is reported that opening up Guangdong-Hong Kong self-driving tourism involves multiple aspects, including differences in car insurance regulations and traffic rules between the two regions, which require careful handling and comprehensive evaluation. The first phase of the Guangdong-Hong Kong self-driving trial plan may initially allow private car owners in Hong Kong driving vehicles with five seats or fewer to apply for a one-time special quota to drive into Guangdong Province from Hong Kong. It is said that the initial quota will be 50 vehicles per day, gradually increasing to 500, with a maximum stay in the mainland of no more than seven days. Meanwhile, private cars from the mainland entering Hong Kong will be part of the second-phase trial plan, pending further deliberation by both sides based on the results of the first phase. However, all the above plans are subject to the finalization of operational details by the relevant authorities.
For a long time, the issuance of cross-border license plates between Guangdong and Hong Kong has been strictly controlled, with only eligible logistics companies, Hong Kong enterprises investing in the mainland, and certain government departments qualified to apply.
It is reported that on April 7, 2010, then-Governor of Guangdong Province Huang Huahua and then-Chief Executive of Hong Kong Donald Tsang, on behalf of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government respectively, formally signed the “Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Framework Agreement” in Beijing. Article 2 of Chapter 5 of the agreement states: “On the premise of ensuring effective customs supervision and establishing strict entry-exit inspection, registration, and cancellation systems, research will be conducted to gradually expand cross-border vehicle quotas, using the Shenzhen Bay Port as a pilot, and on the basis of full deliberation, explore arrangements for one-time temporary cross-border private car travel.”
According to information from the Shenzhen Bay Port Customs, preparations for the inspection and clearance of vehicles traveling to and from Hong Kong under the Guangdong-Hong Kong self-driving tourism program have already begun at the port, including setting up dedicated lanes and signage, as well as equipping facilities. The pilot program is tentatively scheduled to start in March, though the exact date is still pending confirmation by the relevant national and Guangdong provincial authorities.