Hong Kong conducts first cross-border drill at revamped Huanggang Port

Hong Kong has conducted its first test involving Shenzhen authorities of clearance procedures and private car access at the revamped Huanggang border crossing, ahead of a massive exercise next week involving 20,000 people to fully assess the facility’s capacity.

No 2 official Eric Chan Kwok-ki said Saturday’s drill went smoothly and passenger flows were orderly, with speedy pickup by public transport, although a motorist association reported traffic jams along the San Tin Interchange roundabout leading to the crossing.

“We will conduct a further stress test with a continuous peak-level passenger and traffic flow to ensure smooth operations,” Chan said, describing next Saturday’s exercise as a “large-scale cross-border drill”.

Hong Kong authorities have conducted several drills at the Huanggang Port crossing at the mainland Chinese border this month as a part of final preparations before the checkpoint opens, which sources have said could come as early as next month.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said next Saturday’s drill would increase pressure on capacity and feature a full test of 90 clearance channels within the building, as well as assess how private vehicles would use a new clearance machine.

“Through today’s exercise, we have identified further improvement measures, such as how to line up buses and different transport,” Tang added.