In a groundbreaking announcement, transport chief Mable Chan revealed that vehicles from Guangdong province in mainland China will soon gain access to Hong Kong’s urban areas "in phases," a move aimed at simplifying travel for residents and visitors alike. This initiative is part of the upcoming "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles" scheme, which the government expects to launch by year’s end.

Initially, only mainland vehicles will be permitted to park at the end of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. From there, drivers can conveniently switch to transportation options to reach Hong Kong International Airport or navigate through other districts.

As the scheme unfolds, Chan indicated that Guangdong vehicles will gradually be allowed to drive deeper into Hong Kong’s urban areas. However, she withheld details on when this will happen or how urban areas will be defined. Key discussions are ongoing regarding vehicle quotas, border crossing protocols, and the necessary support systems.

Safety is paramount in this initiative; authorities will enforce stringent risk management measures. All Guangdong drivers must adhere to Hong Kong laws, ensure their vehicles are safe, and carry appropriate insurance.

Notably, in a twist of driving culture, while mainland China operates on the right side of the road, Hong Kong drivers stick to the left. Chan traveled to Guangdong on Monday to facilitate further discussions about the scheme.

This announcement follows the launch of the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles initiative on July 1, 2023, allowing local cars to access Guangdong. However, plans for the southbound scheme have faced scrutiny and delays, with former Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying questioning the inertia in a recent Facebook post. He emphasized, "To do something, you only need one reason; not to do something, you will have a hundred reasons." His comments highlight frustrations over the prolonged approval process.

As Hong Kong embraces this new era of cross-border travel, stay tuned for more updates on how these changes will affect residents and the region's dynamic transportation landscape!