Cross-boundary commute between SZ, HK back on track

A commuter tries to get through the entrance turnstile to board a train to Hong Kong at the Shenzhen North Railway Station on Sunday. The resumption of quarantine-free cross-border travel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, as well as operation of the high-speed railway connecting the mainland and Hong Kong, has made it easier for many who live a dual-city life in the neighboring cities of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Xinhua

The resumption of quarantine-free cross-border travel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong on Jan. 8, as well as operation of the high-speed railway connecting the mainland and Hong Kong on Sunday, has excited many who live a dual-city life in the neighboring cities of Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Martin Zhu, co-founder of i2Cool Ltd., told Shenzhen Daily that the news had been long-anticipated and the resumption has brought great convenience both to his work and life.

“I had been looking forward to the resumption of quarantine-free travel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong for a long time, because many of our businesses are carried out simultaneously in Hong Kong and the mainland,” Zhu said.

Zhu returned to Shenzhen from Hong Kong on Thursday and the process was smooth, according to him. Later on the same day, he flew to Beijing from Shenzhen for a business trip.

He said that the border reopening can accelerate the communication and cooperation between the company’s teams and their collaborative work efficiency can also be improved.

The resumption of high-speed rail services is also great news for people who commute between the two cities, Zhu said. For him, he will travel a lot because his company has an office in Hong Kong Science Park and another in Shenzhen.

“Whether it is me or some of our team members, we are required to commute between the two cities so our projects can run smoothly,” Zhu said, adding that he can also visit his family and friends in Guangzhou easily via high-speed trains from Hong Kong.

Michael To Kai-tsun, a consultant doctor in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology and assistant chief executive of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, has also restarted his dual-city work mode.

To’s daily work and medical research involve commuting between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. After the resumption of free-quarantine travel, it is not only more convenient for him to work in both places, but also to return to Hong Kong regularly to visit his family.

“I was really happy going back to Hong Kong for a weekend to meet my family and have meals together. It seemed that I hadn’t seen them for a long time. And I did have a lot of work to arrange in Hong Kong,” To said.

Due to the pandemic, To has had to stay longer each time in Shenzhen over the past three years. He went back to Hong Kong on Jan. 7 and came back to work in Shenzhen through Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint at about 8 a.m. Jan. 9.

According to him, the process at the checkpoint was smooth and took about 10 minutes, almost the same amount of time as it did before the pandemic.

“I will go back to Hong Kong again for the Spring Festival holiday and then bring my family to visit friends in Shenzhen,” he said.