Border post provides passport to success

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is facilitating growth of the Greater Bay Area. Zhang Yi reports.

Lu Bier, who lives with his parents in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, studies at a middle school in neighboring Macao.

Every school day, the 15-year-old travels to Macao by bus via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

"It takes about half an hour from home to school. The self-service customs clearance at the border checkpoint is convenient and fast, and I don't need to wait too long, so I commute between the two places every day," he said.

To ensure efficient immigration clearance, joint inspections are carried out at a checkpoint on the bridge.

When the bridge opened to traffic in October last year, the empty zone between the two ports was abandoned, and the border facilities were linked. Travelers only need to pass through the border controls once to complete their departure and arrival procedures on each journey.

It takes about 10 seconds to complete the entire procedure at the self-service channel, as travelers scan their permits and use facial recognition and fingerprint technology before the information is checked for accuracy. Combined self-service and manned channels are also available.

At the manned channels, the desks for personnel from both sides of the border are placed "shoulder to shoulder", with a dividing line between them. When travelers complete the procedures at the exit counter, they move directly to the entry counter and vice versa.

"The arrangement facilitates communication and cooperation between officers from the two sides," said Tai Leong Pang, chief inspector at the Macao Border Control Department, adding that the one-stop crossing is a pioneering measure and the first of its kind in China.

"This cooperation is an innovation under the principle of 'one country, two systems'. The model brings convenience to passengers and reduces the number of government employees required. It's expected that it will be applied at other ports in the future."

To provide greater convenience, an automated customs clearance channel for drivers was launched at the bridge checkpoint in September.