The swift "no-touch" customs clearance model, implemented during the ongoing China's 15th National Games, is helping to shape a new future for the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area city cluster in south China.
The National Games, taking place across Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region from Nov 9 to 21, marks the first time that the three Chinese regions are co-hosting the country's highest-level and largest national multi-sport event.
This event has served as a catalyst for the three Chinese regions to achieve unprecedented efficiency in regulatory alignment and infrastructure connectivity.
A prime example was the men's road cycling race held last Saturday, the first cross-border race linking Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. It saw over 100 athletes crossing the border checkpoints six times during the race without stopping or slowing down.
"Inspection zones were set up at both the start and finish lines. All necessary procedures, including health quarantine, and inspection of inbound and outbound personnel, luggage and goods were completed in a centralized manner before and after the competition. We've also applied technologies including radio frequency identification devices (RFID) for real-time monitoring, enabling closed-loop management of personnel, vehicles and equipment to ensure rapid clearance," said Wang Peiyang, deputy director of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Customs Office.
Additionally, dedicated green channels were established at multiple ports for National Games participants. In Hong Kong, all registered personnel could use 16 exclusive immigration lanes, unlocking an experience of facial recognition clearance in just about seven seconds.
For spectators, services including the 24-hour smart permit processing and dedicated windows have also made their entry experience exceptionally smooth. Notably, at the Hengqin Port's "no documentation required" channel, eligible spectators could pass through using just facial recognition.
"The process was incredibly smooth. I just used facial recognition and cleared immigration in merely more than ten seconds. It was excellent," said a Macao tourist surnamed Wei.
"Crossing is very convenient today with the special passage for the Games. Regular visitors to Hengqin have consistently seen adjustments made here to meet public needs," said Ng Ioc Leng, president of the Macao Tennis Association.
Seamless customs clearance fuels new vision for Greater Bay Area Integration
