Hong Kong – Cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Lunar New Year festive period

Cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Lunar New Year festive period

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     The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that over 7.5 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Lunar New Year festive period (from February 9 to 17). The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, estimates that around 6 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound passengers and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will be relatively higher on February 11 (Sunday) and February 13 (Tuesday), with around 461 000 passengers and 607 000 passengers respectively.

     The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at Lo Wu Control Point, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 170 000, 158 000 and 105 000 passengers respectively.
 
     To facilitate diversion of cross-boundary passenger and vehicular movements during the Lunar New Year holidays, a consensus was reached by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government with the relevant departments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality to make the following special arrangements:
 
 (1) Passenger and passenger vehicle clearance services at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point, which usually close at midnight, will operate overnight, providing round-the-clock services, from February 9 to 13; and
 
 (2) Passenger clearance service at the Lo Wu Control Point, which usually closes at midnight, will be extended on February 9 and 11 to 2am the next day.

     With the extension of operating hours at certain land boundary control points, and to cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment and operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.

     Furthermore, the ImmD, the Police, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with the Mainland authorities, such as the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.

     To avoid congestion and a longer than usual waiting time for immigration clearance, the ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The expected busy times at boundary control points are available on the website of the ImmD at www.immd.gov.hk. Furthermore, passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at each land boundary control point at any time or place via the Immigration Mobile Application (ImmD Mobile App). They can then plan their trips effectively and save time queuing at control points. The ImmD Mobile App can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store (supports iOS version 11.0 or above), Google Play (supports Android version 8.0 or above), Huawei AppGallery (supports Android version 8.0 or above) and the APK file available on the ImmD website. Passengers can download the ImmD Mobile App by scanning the QR code (see Annex) or via the ImmD website, www.immd.gov.hk. In addition, information on public transport services to and from various control points is available on the Transport Department website at www.td.gov.hk.

     For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.

     Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.

     About 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. Hong Kong residents enrolled for the Express e-Channel should re-enrol if they have been issued with a new identity card. Furthermore, the Contactless e-Channel service is available at all control points now. All eligible Hong Kong residents, after enrolment, can generate an encrypted QR code through the Contactless e-Channel mobile application to enter the e-Channel, and then verify their identity with the facial verification technology for automated immigration clearance.

     In addition, all control points have introduced self-service departures for visitors to Hong Kong (Smart Departure) which provides greater travel convenience for visitors. The service employs facial recognition technology for identity verification, which allows eligible visitors holding electronic travel documents to perform self-service departure clearance through Smart Departure e-Channels without prior enrolment.

     Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868.

Hong Kong – Cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday festive period (with photos)

Cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday festive period (with photos)

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      The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 6.55 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday festive period (from September 29 to October 6). Among them, about 82.9 per cent, or around 5.43 million passengers, will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound passengers and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will be relatively higher on September 30 (Saturday) and October 2 (Monday), with around 492 000 passengers and 538 000 passengers respectively.

     The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, Lo Wu Control Point and Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 164 000, 162 000 and 103 000 passengers respectively.

      To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment and operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.

      Furthermore, the ImmD, the Police, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with the Mainland frontier inspection authorities. To ensure smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.

      To avoid congestion and a longer than usual waiting time for immigration clearance, the ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The expected busy times at boundary control points are available on the website of the ImmD at www.immd.gov.hk. Furthermore, passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at all land boundary control points at any time or place via the Immigration Mobile Application (ImmD mobile app). They can then plan their trips effectively and save time queuing at control points. The ImmD mobile app can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store (supports iOS version 11.0 or above), Google Play (supports Android version 8.0 or above), Huawei AppGallery (supports Android version 8.0 or above) and the APK file available on the ImmD website. The links for downloading can also be found on the ImmD website, www.immd.gov.hk. In addition, information on public transport services to and from various control points is available on the Transport Department website at www.td.gov.hk.

       For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.

      Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.

      About 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. Hong Kong residents enrolled for the Express e-Channel should re-enrol if they have been issued with a new identity card. Furthermore, the Contactless e-Channel service is available at all control points now. All eligible Hong Kong residents, after enrolment, can generate an encrypted QR code through the Contactless e-Channel mobile application to enter the e-Channel, and then verify their identity with the facial verification technology for automated immigration clearance.

      In addition, all control points have introduced self-service departures for visitors to Hong Kong (Smart Departure) which provides greater travel convenience for visitors. The service employs facial recognition technology for identity verification, which allows eligible visitors holding electronic travel documents to perform self-service departure clearance through Smart Departure e-Channels without prior enrolment.

     Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868.

BYD Enters the Passenger Vehicle Market in Japan, Ushering in a New Era

 On July 21, BYD AUTO JAPAN Inc., a branch of BYD Company Limited in Japan, announced its entry into the passenger vehicle market in Japan debuting three models – BYD ATTO 3, BYD DOLPHIN and BYD SEAL.

Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD, Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, Atsuki Tofukuji, Chairman and General Manager of BYD AUTO JAPAN, and other guests attended the conference.

These three electric vehicles will bring more choice and vitality to the EV market in Japan, delivering a safe, comfortable and green driving experience. ATTO 3 is expected to go on sale in January. The DOLPHIN and SEAL respectively will be available for purchase in the middle and second half of 2023.

BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu acknowledged BYD’s long relationship with the Japanese market and said he greatly appreciates the opportunity to grow.

“Over the years, BYD has been deeply engaged in the Japanese market and has accumulated a good market and brand foundation through its pure electric buses, energy storage systems, pure electric forklifts and other businesses,” Wang said. “Today, with the support and expectation of consumers, BYD officially hits the new energy passenger vehicle market in Japan. The longest journey starts with a single step, and we greatly cherish this business opportunity. Full of respect and dedication, we are devoted to providing Japanese consumers with leading technologies, excellent products and high-quality services, aiming to deliver an exceptional travel experience.”

General Manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division Liu Xueliang unveiled BYD’s slogan for the market — “Hello e-life.”

BYD started serving Japanese customers with rechargeable batteries in 1999. Later, BYD provided the local market with new energy storage products, solar energy products, pure electric buses, pure electric forklifts and other products to help Japan achieve green and sustainable development. Since the delivery of the first batch of zero-emission buses to Kyoto in 2015, the excellent performance of BYD’s pure electric buses have won the approval and support of Japanese customers. Large-scale operation has been achieved in cities including Fukushima, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagasaki and Okinawa. EVs are effective solution for Japan to reduce oil dependence, improve air quality and promote the implementation of “Green Growth Strategy Through Achieving Carbon Neutrality in 2050.”

About BYD

BYD (Build Your Dreams) is a multinational high-tech company devoted to leveraging technological innovations for a better life. BYD now has four industries including Auto, Electronics, New Energy, and Rail Transit. Since its foundation in 1995, the company quickly developed solid expertise in rechargeable batteries and has become a relentless advocate of sustainable development, successfully expanding its renewable energy solutions globally with operations in over 50 countries and regions. Its creation of a Zero Emissions Energy Ecosystem, comprising affordable solar power generation, reliable energy storage, and cutting-edge electrified transportation, has made it an industry leader in the energy and transportation sectors. BYD is a Warren Buffet-backed company and is listed both on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. More information on the company can be found at http://www.byd.com.

Contact:

Asia-Pacific: Mia Gu, mia.gu@byd.com tel: +86-755-8988-8888-69666

Europe: Penny Peng, PressEU@byd.com tel: +31-102070888

North America: Frank Girardot, frank.girardot@byd.com tel: +1 213 245 6503

Latin America: Sofίa Mardones, sofia.mardones@byd.com tel: +56 9 9821 6851

Brazil: Adalberto Maluf, adalberto.maluf@byd.com tel: +19 3514 2554

Africa: Nikki Li, li.namin@byd.com tel: +86-18938862670

BYD

Kelsey Cone

661-436-0513

byd.com

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