The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge witnessed a new milestone on Sunday, as a total of five million cross-border trips by vehicles registered solely in Macao was recorded at Gongbei Customs in Zhuhai City as of 10:00 on the morning since the Northbound Travel for Macao Vehicles program came into effect on January 1, 2023.
Among them, 544,000 trips were made in the first four months of this year, according to Gongbei Customs in south China's Guangdong Province.
The program allows non-commercial small motor vehicles with only a Macao registration plate to travel between the special administrative region and Guangdong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge without the need to obtain a regular quota.
Data show that it took 334 days for the number of such trips to reach one million, but only 217 days to increase from four million to five million.
"While accurately identifying risks, we have managed to provide passengers with a seamless customs clearance. Customs authorities have also collaborated with other departments to optimize the one-stop joint inspection and release process. During peak periods, we allocated regulatory resources in accordance with the changing situation and streamlined clearance procedures to ensure efficient and smooth customs clearance," said customs officer Xi Yuan.
With the successive implementation of schemes allowing northbound travel for Hong Kong vehicles and southbound travel for Guangdong vehicles, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge port has entered a new stage featuring much more convenient driving experience between the three areas.
Northbound travel scheme for Macao vehicles marks new milestone
One person died and nine remain missing after a pickup truck plunged into a river Saturday night in Huanjiang Maonan autonomous county, Guangxi, local authorities said Sunday.
According to the statement, a report was received at 9:08 pm that a pickup carrying 15 people had fallen into the water while crossing a low-water bridge in a village. By 2 am, rescuers had pulled six people from the river. Five were reported to be out of life-threatening danger, while one was confirmed dead.
The rescue operation involved 65 fire rescue personnel and 12 vehicles. Teams were equipped with sonar detectors, diving gear, and mobile lighting, China Central Television reported.
Searches were coordinated across 12 locations along the river. The bridge where the pickup plunged measures roughly four meters wide by 100 meters long, according to personnel on site, it added.
Local public security, emergency management, firefighting, and maritime affairs departments have been mobilized for the all-out rescue effort. The forward command center designated the core search zone based on rapid water flow conditions and rising water levels caused by heavy rainfall in the area. The incident took place after an employer had organized 28 workers to plant sweet potatoes locally. After work concluded, 13 workers returned independently, while the remaining 15 boarded the pickup truck.
Relevant individuals to the incident have been placed under legal control. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The Office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Sunday dispatched a working group to Guangxi to assist with and guide the ongoing search and rescue operations.
Search and rescue underway after pickup truck plunges into river
