New Huanggang Port Completes 20,000-Person Stress Test, Opens as Early as Late 2026
RTHK · 11 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities completed the fourth large-scale operational drill at the new Huanggang Port on Saturday, conducting the most extensive cross-border stress test yet by mobilising 20,000 civil servants—double the number from the previous week's exercise . Security Secretary Tang Ping-keung, who observed the drill alongside Immigration Department Head Kwok Chun-fung, Customs and Excise Department Commissioner Chan Chi-tat, and Transport Department Head Tse Wing-yi, described the overall process as smooth and effective . The exercise marked the first full test of the joint one-stop vehicle lane, with approximately 300 private cars and 300 public transport vehicles participating .
Key Points
- The drill tested all 202 clearance channels, including 120 co-location self-service channels and 60 traditional counters, achieving a maximum passenger wait time of under 15 minutes .
- The joint one-stop vehicle lane processed cars through three gates, completing five-in-one inspections by Hong Kong Customs, the Department of Health, the Immigration Department, Shenzhen Border Inspection, and Shenzhen Customs in approximately one minute per vehicle .
- Some areas experienced slow Wi-Fi reception when large numbers of people gathered simultaneously, an issue officials acknowledged requires improvement before the port's official opening .
- Transport arrangements included 300 buses operating on dedicated routes via Fanling Highway and San Tin Highway to the port, with 4 to 5 buses unloading simultaneously at drop-off points .
- Tang announced that citizens will be able to use either a Hong Kong identity card or a Home Return Permit at e-Channels in both directions when the port officially opens .
Why It Matters
The successful completion of the largest stress test moves the rebuilt Huanggang Port significantly closer to its planned opening as the most important 24-hour land crossing between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, with officials expecting to slash clearance times from 30 minutes to approximately 5 minutes . Tang said the government will now conduct an internal review and meet with Shenzhen authorities to decide the official opening date, though he noted this was the final large-scale civil servant mobilisation planned for now .
The successful completion of the largest stress test moves the rebuilt Huanggang Port significantly closer to its planned opening as the most important 24-hour land crossing between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, with officials expecting to slash clearance times from 30 minutes to approximately 5 minutes . Tang said the government will now conduct an internal review and meet with Shenzhen authorities to decide the official opening date, though he noted this was the final large-scale civil servant mobilisation planned for now .