With an expanded radius of life-circle and shortened distance, travel has become more convenient. Since the implementation of the "Northbound Travel for Macao Vehicles" policy on December 20th, 2022, the number of Macao single-plate vehicles passing through the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has steadily increased, allowing more and more Macao residents to enjoy the convenience of "stepping on the gas pedal to reach Guangdong".

"Northbound Travel for Macao Vehicles" is a policy in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area that promotes connectivity and integration. Eligible vehicle owners from Macao can drive into Guangdong through the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge after obtaining clearance through appointment, enjoying seamless travel.

According to statistics, since the implementation of the policy, the number of registered accounts has exceeded 40,000 with over 17,000 eligible vehicles, demonstrating Macao residents' enthusiasm of travelling to the Chinese mainland.

Li, a graduate student at Macao University of Science & Technology, said that he first made an appointment for "Northbound Travel for Macao Vehicles" in April this year to visit Zhuhai. Many of his friends also use the policy for travel, feeling a stronger connection to the Greater Bay Area in their daily lives.

While facilitating people's mobility, the policy has also become a "catalyst" for the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area, injecting new vitality into the regional economy. Many Macao youths have driven northward to seek investment opportunities and job prospects.

Wang, a young entrepreneur from Macao, has established a cross-border e-commerce company in Zhuhai. He mentioned that he can now commute between Zhuhai and Macao every day, saving time and costs, and truly experiencing the convenience brought by "Northbound Travel for Macao Vehicles".

According to Gongbei Customs, the number of Macao single-plate vehicles passing through the port exceeded 7,800 in the first month of policy implementation, and the monthly volume surpassed 100,000 in May alone. Currently, single-plate vehicles account for over 50% of the total passenger vehicles passing through the bridge port, exceeding 70% during peak hours.

Yu Weiheng, Secretary-General of the Macao Innovation Development Research Association, stated that "Northbound Travel for Macao Vehicles" is a "two-way journey" that not only drives more Macao residents to travel, invest, and conduct business in the mainland but also enables Hong Kong and Macao residents to tap into the vast mainland market and better integrate into the national development.

To ensure the effective implementation of the policy, both Zhuhai and Macao continue to improve supporting measures, optimize services, and provide more guarantees for Macao vehicles to access the broader space of the mainland through Zhuhai. Zhuhai has introduced multiple safeguard measures, including strengthening transportation connections, improving clearance efficiency, and enhancing parking services.

"'Northbound Travel for Macao Vehicles' holds significant importance as it not only facilitates Macao residents' journeys to South China but also strengthens the ties between Macao and the mainland, contributing to the connectivity and integrated development of the Greater Bay Area," said Sheng Li, a professor of political economy and public policy at the University of Macao.

“澳车北上”火爆为大湾区发展添马力

生活半径扩大，时空距离缩短，商旅往来便捷……自2022年12月20日“澳车北上”政策正式施行以来，经港珠澳大桥珠海公路口岸进出境的澳门单牌车通关数量呈阶梯式增长，越来越多的澳门民众畅享“踩一脚油门就能到广东”的幸福感。

“澳车北上”是粤港澳大湾区互联互通领域的一项政策。符合条件的澳门车主在预约通关获准后，即可驾车经港珠澳大桥珠海公路口岸驶入广东，畅享便利出行。

据统计，“澳车北上”政策落地至今，系统成功注册账号人数已超过4万人，合资格的车辆逾1.7万部，显现澳门居民的热情。

在澳门科技大学就读研究生的李同学表示，今年4月首次约到“澳车北上”是去珠海游玩，身边也有不少朋友通过“澳车北上”出行，生活上更加有融入大湾区的感觉。

在便利人员往来同时，“澳车北上”也成为大湾区一体化发展的“助推剂”，为大湾区经济注入崭新活力。许多澳门青年纷纷驾车“北上”，寻找投资机遇和工作机会。

澳门青年王少毅在珠海创办了一家跨境电商公司。他表示，现在每天都可以开车往返珠澳洽谈生意，节省了时间和成本，实实在在感受到了“澳车北上”带来的便利。

据拱北海关发布消息，政策落地实施首月澳门单牌车通关量达7800多辆次，5月单月澳门单牌车通关量已超10万辆次。目前，单牌车通关量占大桥口岸进出境客车通关总量的五成以上，高峰时段超七成。

澳门创新发展研究会秘书长余渭恒表示，“澳车北上”是一场“双向奔赴”的交流，既带动更多澳门人士在内地旅游、投资兴业和商洽合作，也促进港澳人士拓展内地庞大的市场，更好融入国家发展大局。

为了保障“澳车北上”政策更好实施，珠澳两地持续完善配套，进一步优化服务，让更多“澳车”通过珠海连接内地更广阔的空间。珠海方面从进一步强化交通衔接、提升通关效率、完善停车服务等方面推出多项保障措施。

“‘澳车北上’有着重要意义，在便利澳门人士奔赴南粤大地的同时，澳门与内地往来将更加紧密，为大湾区互联互通、融合发展增添马力。”澳门大学政治经济学与公共政策教授盛力说。

来源丨新华社
翻译丨刘佳慧
责编丨古司祺