Since the implementation of the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" (the Scheme) on July 1^st, 2023, significant progress has been made. As reported by the border inspection station of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge , statistics reveal that from the Scheme's launch until 5:35 PM on July 7^th, 2024, Hong Kong single-plate vehicles crossing the Bridge have exceeded 1 million trips. The monthly growth rate has averaged over 33.8%, showing a steady upward trend.

The Scheme, which allows Hong Kong single-plate cars to pass through the Zhuhai port of the Bridge, has made it more convenient for Hong Kong residents to enter the Chinese mainland. This has facilitated a deeper exploration and experience of the mainland's rich culinary, cultural, and lifestyle offerings, meeting personal leisure needs and providing convenience for family visits, business exchanges, and more. The Scheme has been warmly received by Hong Kong citizens. According to the statistics of the border inspection station, the port has set new records for vehicle and passenger flow six times in the past six months. On average, 7,800 Hong Kong and Macao single-plate cars pass through daily, with over 42,000 passengers, accounting for 56.0% and 60.9% of the total vehicle and passenger flow, respectively. This year, the monthly average of "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" exceeded 110,000 trips, and in June alone, the figure surpassed 130,000 trips, a 17-fold increase from the first month of its implementation.

"The high growth reflects strong demand. For the Greater Bay Area, the Scheme brings both popularity and opportunities. It will promote economic integration within the GBA and provide strong support for technological innovation and industrial upgrading in the region," said Zheng Yongnian, Dean of the School of Public Policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Chairman of the Guangzhou Institute Greater Bay Area.

Over the past year, the number of vehicles passing through the Zhuhai port of the Bridge has continued to rise. According to customs statistics, in the first month of the Scheme, 6,900 Hong Kong single-plate cars crossed the border. By June 2024, the monthly figure had surpassed 130,000 trips, a 17-fold increase. In the past three months, the monthly volume has remained above 120,000 trips. Customs have processed over 500,000 Hong Kong single-plate car crossings in the first eight months, with the second 500,000 crossings achieved in just four months, highlighting an accelerating trend. The data underscores the deepening economic and cultural integration of the GBA. "Customs has continuously enhanced smart customs construction, upgrading the 'one-stop' system. Through micro-modifications like renovating the customs risk control cloud checkpoint and optimizing driver card verification, the single-lane vehicle inspection volume has increased 1.5 times since the Scheme's inception in 2023, and the risk control inspection efficiency has improved by 80%", explained Luo Jing, Deputy Chief of the Second Section of HZMB Customs Supervision.

Border inspection departments and the Zhuhai Municipal People's Government are accelerating projects to improve the efficiency of the port’s customs clearance. By the end of 2024, it aims to increase the peak hour single-lane capacity for small passenger cars from 950 vehicles per hour to 1,500 vehicles per hour, boosting the overall capacity by over 50%.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

“港车北上”突破100万辆次，大湾区融合再提速

“港车北上”政策于去年7月1日实施以来取得了显著成效。记者7日从港珠澳大桥边检站获悉，据统计，自2023年7月1日政策落地实施以来，截至7月7日17时35分，经港珠澳大桥出入境的香港单牌车突破100万辆次，月均增速超过33.8%，保持逐月增长态势。

2023年7月1日，“港车北上”政策正式落地实施，该政策下香港单牌车均经港珠澳大桥珠海公路口岸通关，香港居民能够以更为便捷的方式进入内地，深度探索和体验内地丰富的餐饮、文化和生活方式，不仅满足了个人的休闲娱乐需求，也为探亲访友、商务交流等多方面提供了便利。政策实施以来，得到香港市民的热烈响应，据边检部门统计，上半年，大桥口岸先后6次刷新客流车流纪录，其中，港澳单牌车日均通行量达到7800辆次，港澳旅客超过4.2万人次，分别占口岸客流车流总量的56.0%和60.9%。其中，今年，“港车北上”月均数量超11万辆次，6月份再上新台阶，单月首次突破13万辆次，较政策实施首月增长17倍。

“高增长反映出强需求。对于粤港澳大湾区而言，‘港车北上’既带来了人气，又带来了机遇，它将促进粤港澳大湾区的经济一体化进程，为区域内的科技创新和产业升级提供有力支持。”香港中文大学（深圳）公共政策学院院长、广州粤港澳大湾区研究院理事长郑永年说。

一年来，经港珠澳大桥珠海公路口岸通关的车辆数持续攀升。据海关统计，“港车北上”政策实施首月香港单牌车月通行量为0.69万辆次，到今年6月，月通行量已突破13万辆次，单月通关量增长17倍。近3个月保持月通行量12万辆次以上高位运行。同时，海关累计验放进出境香港单牌车突破50万辆次用时8个月，从50万辆次到突破100万辆次用时仅4个月，加速趋势明显，数据的攀升见证着粤港澳大湾区经济与文化的融合发展向纵深推进。“海关不断加大智慧海关建设力度，持续升级优化‘一站式’系统，通过推进海关风险闸云卡口改造、优化司机卡验核等微改造，口岸客车单向验放数量已较2023年‘港车北上’政策实施初期增长1.5倍，风险闸验放效率提升80%。”港珠澳大桥海关监管二科副科长罗晶介绍。

边检部门与珠海市政府正加快推进提升大桥口岸通关效率项目，年内有望将口岸小客车高峰时段单向通行能力由950辆次每小时，提升至1500辆次每小时，通行能力提升50%以上。

文｜记者 李旭 通讯员 王相国 陈绮汐
翻译｜赵凡