Key facts
- Hong Kong's Chief Secretary Eric Chan pledged to boost Huanggang Port capacity.
- Extra clearance counters and vehicle lanes will be opened at Huanggang Port.
- Congestion followed Halloween events and a large concert that drew 240,000 visitors.
- Cross-border bus routes were increased to five-minute intervals.
- Severe road congestion was caused by private cars, buses, and taxis.
- Huanggang Port is the only 24-hour crossing to Shenzhen.
Hong Kong's Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki has pledged to increase capacity at the Huanggang Port control point, including opening extra clearance counters and vehicle lanes, following severe congestion caused by Halloween crowds and concertgoers. Chan inspected the Shenzhen Bay and Huanggang ports on Sunday and directed the Security Bureau to enhance advance assessments and passenger flow forecasting to manage peak hours.
On the preceding Saturday, Halloween events and a large concert drew approximately 240,000 visitors to Hong Kong. Cross-border bus operators increased capacity, with some late-night routes operating at five-minute intervals. However, a massive number of cross-border private cars, buses, and taxis led to significant road congestion, trapping vehicles and preventing them from returning to pick up passengers. Huanggang Port, being the only 24-hour crossing to Shenzhen, experienced particularly heavy traffic as vehicles switched to this route.