The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, visited the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line/ Futian Control Point this morning (January 8) on the first day of the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland to see the arrangements for people crossing the boundary control point (BCP). He was briefed by staff on site and chatted with members of the public. Mr Lee was satisfied with the overall smooth operation on the first day of resumption of normal travel.

     With the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's close deliberation and co-ordination with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government, a consensus on the resumption of normal travel was reached and approved by the Central Government. Normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland began to resume in a progressive, orderly and comprehensive manner starting today.

     Mr Lee said all the relevant BCPs were in good operation and members of the public could travel across the border smoothly. He said the resumption of normal travel must proceed in an orderly, safe and smooth manner. He added that the relevant authorities will closely monitor the situation, including the arrangements before and after the Lunar New Year, to come up with an overall plan for realising the goal of full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland in a secure and manageable way.

     Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the relevant Mainland authorities, including the Guangdong Provincial Government, the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Office of Port of Entry and Exit for mutual assistance and co-ordination in the operation of the BCPs, immigration clearance arrangements for travellers and related matters to facilitate the resumption of normal travel of persons between the two places in a safe, orderly and smooth manner.

     Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government will closely monitor and constantly review the implementation of travel resumption arrangements, and maintain communication with the relevant Mainland authorities to facilitate the arrangements for the next stage.

     Mr Lee was briefed about the triage procedures for outbound travellers at the BCP this morning, and inspected the immigration clearance services of the Immigration Department and the customs clearance arrangements for travellers carried out by the Customs and Excise Department. Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to all BCP personnel for returning to their duties within a very short period of time, ensuring the smooth process of the operation, and providing convenience and a good experience for members of the public in travelling across the border in a safe, orderly and smooth way.

     Government officials who accompanied Mr Lee at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line/ Futian Control Point today included the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; and the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong.

Ends/Sunday, January 8, 2023
Issued at HKT 12:55

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