"Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles" Expected to Be Implemented Within This Year

The government has announced arrangements for the "Guangdong Vehicles Southbound" initiative, expected to be implemented by year-end. Unlike the initial proposal, which only allowed Guangdong vehicles to park at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) port, the new plan permits these vehicles to enter Hong Kong’s urban areas simultaneously, with an initial daily quota of 100 vehicles. The Greater Bay Area (GBA) integration focuses on promoting the free flow of people, logistics, capital, and information, and the cross-border movement of vehicles between Guangdong and Hong Kong serves as a key facilitator. While quotas for "Hong Kong Vehicles Northbound" and "Guangdong Vehicles Southbound" may differ due to traffic management needs, the overall arrangements should aim for reciprocity. The new plan reflects this principle, with a daily quota of 100 southbound reservations, which is unlikely to significantly burden Hong Kong’s roads. As a new initiative, "Guangdong Vehicles Southbound" may raise various questions, but there are no insurmountable obstacles. Authorities should seize the opportunity to prepare supporting measures and provide clear explanations to ensure a smoother transition.

The "Hong Kong Vehicles Northbound" program, implemented for two years, has been popular among residents for holiday self-driving trips to the mainland. According to the Transport Department, over 140,000 vehicles have obtained northbound permits, meaning roughly one in five private cars participates. However, "Guangdong Vehicles Southbound" has been delayed. The Hong Kong SAR government previously emphasized a "phased implementation," with the first phase, potentially by year-end, allowing vehicles to park only at the HZMB artificial island parking facility, and the second phase permitting urban access at an unspecified later date.

Ten years ago, the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments reached a consensus on cross-border vehicle travel, and it has been nearly seven years since the HZMB opened. Official statistics show that in May this year, the bridge recorded 450,000 two-way vehicle trips, averaging about 15,000 daily trips—a 170% increase from two years ago. Vehicles with northbound permits account for roughly 40% of the traffic. The HZMB is designed to handle up to 60,000 vehicles daily and is described by the central government as a "national treasure." The governments of the three regions have a responsibility to utilize the bridge effectively to promote GBA integration.

"Guangdong Vehicles Southbound" is not only an innovative measure to facilitate cross-border travel but also a significant step toward Hong Kong’s integration into the GBA. The SAR government’s original "phased approach" was overly conservative, with the first phase limiting vehicles to parking at the artificial island, essentially requiring mainland drivers to stop at Hong Kong’s "front door" and switch to other transport modes. This lacked appeal and could hardly be considered true "Guangdong Vehicles Southbound," while the second phase had no clear timeline, raising doubts about the government’s commitment.

The newly announced plan merges the two phases, to be implemented by year-end. On one hand, Guangdong vehicles can reserve parking at the HZMB Hong Kong Port’s "transit parking lot," with 1,800 spaces available, and additional spaces expected when the airport’s "visitor parking lot" opens in the first half of next year. On the other hand, eligible Guangdong vehicles can enter urban areas, with an initial daily quota of 100 vehicles. The duration of stay is still under discussion but is tentatively set at "a few days." Applications are expected to open in November, with Guangdong vehicles driving in urban areas by year-end. The application process and requirements mirror those of "Hong Kong Vehicles Northbound": vehicles must pass inspections at designated Guangdong testing centers, purchase relevant insurance, and drivers must obtain a Hong Kong driving license. Any incidents in Hong Kong will be handled under local laws.

As an international aviation hub with comprehensive routes and frequent flights, Hong Kong, along with the nearby AsiaWorld-Expo hosting concerts, can attract mainland visitors to drive to the city for flights or events by allowing parking at the HZMB artificial island and airport-specific lots. This should be actively promoted. However, the primary goal of both "Hong Kong Vehicles Northbound" and "Guangdong Vehicles Southbound" is to facilitate cross-border travel for tourism, family visits, or business, without imposing excessive functional restrictions on Guangdong vehicles. While Hong Kong’s smaller size compared to Guangdong requires consideration of traffic capacity, overemphasizing this issue is unnecessary.

The "Hong Kong Vehicles Northbound" program has daily quotas, with residents typically driving north on weekends. In theory, the number of Hong Kong vehicles leaving the city reflects the capacity to accommodate Guangdong vehicles. With Hong Kong’s 650,000 private cars, the proposed "Guangdong Vehicles Southbound" plan limits the daily quota to just 100 vehicles. Even if each stays for four days, the maximum number of Guangdong vehicles in urban areas at any time would be 400—unlikely to significantly strain road conditions. The government must closely monitor the impact on popular tourist spots and urban traffic after implementation. If traffic data shows minimal impact, authorities could consider gradually increasing the daily quota.