Hong Kong leader hails new Huanggang Port as Greater Bay Area integration milestone

The revamped Huanggang Port officially commenced operations on October 12, 2026, marking a significant step in the integration of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, speaking at an opening ceremony on October 11, described the new checkpoint as a "critical milestone" and a "landmark project" reflecting the joint efforts of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The port will provide 24-hour customs clearance for passengers and passenger vehicles, implementing an innovative "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" model. This new system allows travelers to complete both Hong Kong and Shenzhen exit/entry procedures with a single inspection and verification, significantly reducing clearance times. Passenger processing is expected to take about 5 minutes, down from approximately 30 minutes, while vehicle clearance will be reduced from about 10 minutes to under 2 minutes.

The original Huanggang Port, which opened in 1989, has completed its historical mission. The new facility is designed to handle a daily throughput of 200,000 passengers, with projections to increase to 300,000 once the MTR Northern Link is operational. Lee emphasized that the port's opening aligns with Hong Kong's first five-year plan and the national 15th Five-Year Plan, aiming to enhance cross-border movement and facilitate the flow of people, goods, capital, and information, thereby promoting deeper GBA integration.

An official from the Shenzhen port office, Xue Huaming, stated that authorities are prepared for a large influx of travelers and have implemented crowd control measures to ensure a positive experience.