Private cars in 4 GD cities can access HK this month

Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Jiangmen and Zhongshan are the first batch of four cities in Guangdong Province where private passenger cars are registered can access Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HKZMB) beginning in November, according to the long-anticipated Guangdong cars heading to Hong Kong policy unveiled Friday (Oct. 31).

Aerial photo taken on Oct. 19 shows the traffic on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Xinhua

Authorities said the program will expand to other cities across Guangdong after a six-month trial period.

Both the Guangdong Measures for Management of Motor Vehicles Entering and Exiting Hong Kong via Zhuhai Road Port of the HKZMB Automated Parking Facilities, and the Guangdong Measures for Management of Motor Vehicles Entering and Exiting Hong Kong via the Zhuhai Road Port of the HKZMB will come into effect in stages this month.

Practical timelines were detailed in the announcement. 

From 9 a.m. on Nov. 1, the Hong Kong Airport Authority has begun accepting bookings from Guangdong private car owners for airport parking spaces at the Hong Kong port automated parking facilities. Then, from midnight Nov. 15, approved Guangdong private car owners will be permitted to drive via the HKZMB Zhuhai Road Port into the Hong Kong port automated parking facilities.

Entry into Hong Kong’s urban area will follow a quota and lottery system for the first month of operation. Eligible Guangdong private car owners may register between 9 a.m. Nov. 1 and 12 a.m. Nov. 20 to enter a lottery for December allocations. The scheme will process 100 entries per day over 17 working days, for a total of 1,700 available slots in the initial December batch. The lottery drawing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 23, and successful applicants will be able to submit their applications beginning at 9 a.m. Dec. 9.

Approved applicants who complete the reservation process will be able to drive into Hong Kong’s urban areas via the HKZMB Zhuhai Road Port starting from midnight Dec. 23. Authorities emphasized that all crossings must comply with the relevant registration, insurance and customs procedures, and that applicants must meet the eligibility criteria set out in the published management measures.