China News Agency, Hong Kong, January 8th: After waiting for nearly 3 years, Hong Kong will finally "clear customs"
China News Agency reporter Liu Dawei Wei Huadu
Beginning on the 8th, Hong Kong and the Mainland resumed the first phase of quarantine-free "customs clearance".
On this day, it has been nearly three years since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government began to close the entry and exit gates due to the new crown epidemic on February 4, 2020.
There are 7 ports opened for "customs clearance" in the first phase.
Among them, the three land ports of Shenzhen Bay, Man Kam To, and Lok Ma Chau Branch Line (Futian) have a daily one-way quota of 50,000. Residents of the two places must make reservations online in advance.
The Hong Kong International Airport, China Ferry Terminal, Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal and Jinba on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge do not need to make an appointment, as long as you have an air ticket, boat ticket or bus ticket, you can go directly.
On January 8, Hong Kong and the mainland officially "cleared customs", and a large number of tourists took the subway to enter Shenzhen from the reopened Lok Ma Chau Station through the port.
The picture shows MTR staff at Sheung Shui Station reminding passengers of the precautions when entering the Mainland.
Photo by Li Zhihua
On the day of "customs clearance", people dragging their suitcases have come to the Shenzhen Bay Port since 6 o'clock.
Among the people queuing up were "Hong Kong drifters" from the Mainland who had not returned home for many years due to the epidemic, Hong Kong citizens returning to the Mainland to visit relatives, and passengers transiting through Hong Kong from overseas.
The entry and exit hall of the port officially opened at 6:30, and customs and border inspection personnel took their positions one after another.
After the switch, although there were occasional long queues outside the hall, as people passed through in an orderly manner, the queue quickly shortened in about ten minutes.
The customs staff patiently explained the precautions to the passers-by, and the scene was orderly.
On the bus from Tin Shui Wai, New Territories, to Shenzhen Bay Port, the people couldn't hide their excitement.
"I'm going home!" A passenger shouted, which immediately resonated in the car, and the joy was beyond words.
When approaching the port, everyone took out their mobile phones to record the moment when they were about to go home, and uploaded social media to share with relatives and friends.
After getting off the bus, the passengers in the same car bid farewell to each other, dragged their suitcases and walked towards the gate. From time to time, some people could be seen rushing towards the gate.
On January 8, Hong Kong and the mainland officially "cleared customs", and a large number of tourists took the subway to enter Shenzhen from the reopened Lok Ma Chau Station through the port.
The picture shows passengers waiting for the official "customs clearance" moment.
Photo by Li Zhihua
Mr. He, who works in the banking industry in Hong Kong, has not returned to the mainland for more than half a year.
When talking about why he chose to "clear customs" on the first day and return to the mainland, he smiled and told reporters: "I am homesick, so I am in a hurry to go home for the New Year".
He said that because mainlanders in Hong Kong do not need to apply for a quota to return to the mainland, they only need to prepare for nucleic acid testing, and they do not need to be quarantined when they return to the mainland.
After passing the customs, he told reporters that the process can be completed in about 15 minutes, and the overall efficiency is very high.
Ms. Zhu, who has not been back to the mainland for the New Year in three years, said: "I don't feel so homesick when I haven't left home, especially since I haven't been back for such a long time. I miss my parents very much. Although I can make video calls every day, I still think about it. During the interview, she choked up several times, which was moving.
At the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, the first ferry to the mainland departed at 8:20 a.m. that day.
At about 7 o'clock, people who were planning to go to the mainland came one after another. Many of them were transiting from overseas via Hong Kong.
The 63-year-old Mr. Liu is going to take the first flight to Shenzhen Airport Wharf.
He told reporters that he had lived in Australia for a long time and came to Hong Kong three days ago.
He said: "I am finally able to return to China this time. I am very happy. I hope everyone can return to normal life as soon as possible after 'clearing customs'."
The first ship departing from the Mainland also arrived in Hong Kong at 11:10 on the same day.
At the immigration building of the terminal, a red balloon installation with the words "Welcome to Hong Kong" is placed to welcome mainland tourists.
At Futian Port and at the airport, the same scenes are also being staged.
Under the "going home like an arrow", people who are "clearing the customs" walk very briskly.
They either "go north" or "go south", all with hopes.
I believe that this Spring Festival after "clearing customs", Hong Kong citizens can live a more stable life.
I also believe that in the near future, as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, said, "Comprehensive 'customs clearance' that does not require the arrangement of the number of people will definitely appear." (End)