HONG KONG – In a significant transportation policy shift, Hong Kong has officially launched its Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, which took effect at midnight on Tuesday. This groundbreaking initiative permits eligible private car owners from China’s Guangdong Province to drive directly into Hong Kong’s urban centers through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge’s Zhuhai Port.
The program’s initial phase encompasses four major Guangdong cities: Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Jiangmen, and Zhongshan. Authorities have outlined plans to extend the scheme to additional municipalities across the province following a six-month evaluation period.
Application procedures for the cross-border driving initiative commenced on December 9 at 9:00 AM local time. The program operates with a carefully managed daily quota system, currently capped at 100 vehicle entries per day. Approved vehicles are permitted to remain in Hong Kong for a maximum duration of 72 hours per individual visit, provided owners have secured confirmed travel arrangements in advance.
This transportation breakthrough represents a substantial step in regional integration, facilitating easier personal mobility while maintaining regulatory oversight through its quota and pre-approval systems. The implementation follows extensive planning between Hong Kong and mainland authorities to ensure smooth operational execution.