Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung explained that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will explore the use of a new “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” mode in planning the redevelopment of the Sha Tau Kok Port and the development of new boundary control points, with a view to facilitating passenger clearance and enhancing clearance efficiency.

His explanation was in response to questions posed by a Legislative Council member today.

Mr Tang said: “‘Collaborative inspection and joint clearance’ is a new clearance mode and its concept is similar to the ‘joint boundary control system’ proposed by the community. Automatic channels/counters for both outbound and inbound visitors will be set up side by side at the boundary inside a port, such that visitors only need to queue up and have their documents inspected once to pass through the immigration facilities of both sides and complete the respective immigration procedures.”

He also pointed out that the Shenzhen and Hong Kong SAR governments have agreed to adopt the “co-location arrangement” at the Huanggang Port, which is currently under redevelopment, and are actively exploring the implementation of “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” there.

As regards whether there are plans to implement a similar arrangement at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), Mr Tang noted that such plans must carefully be considered, given that the airport’s status as an international aviation hub connecting different destinations  involves different legal and implementation issues and overall benefits.

The Hong Kong SAR Government and Airport Authority Hong Kong will expand the “Fly-Via-Zhuhai-HK” passenger transfer service to include Mainland cities to which Hong Kong does not have direct flights, thereby integrating the international aviation network of HKIA with Zhuhai Airport’s domestic aviation network, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub, he added.