Writing in his weekly blog on 11 October, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan confirmed that the ageing Lok Ma Chau Control Point ceased operations the same day, with its functions migrated to the adjacent new Huanggang Port. Chan highlighted that the new building’s daily capacity is five times larger, and that preliminary tests show average clearance of just five minutes under the cooperative-inspection model. Chan framed the port as critical infrastructure ahead of Hong Kong’s hosting of the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting later this month, arguing that seamless physical connectivity complements the city’s push to finance green and digital projects across the Asia-Pacific. He also pointed to opportunities for Hong Kong insurers and logistics firms as cross-border passenger volume rises. Economists note that the Lok Ma Chau closure frees 20 hectares of land for redevelopment in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis plan, potentially yielding 8 000 units of talent housing adjacent to the new port. Meanwhile, Shenzhen authorities intend to convert the old Huanggang structures into a smart-logistics hub serving cross-border e-commerce. For HR and mobility teams, Chan’s confirmation means staff travel policies referencing Lok Ma Chau should be updated immediately; all coach operators have rerouted to Huanggang, and shuttle-bus ticketing systems were switched over at midnight on 12 October.
Source: news.gov.hk blog
