Cross-boundary travel grows via bridge to SARs

Nearly 20,000 people entered and left the mainland through the exit-entry port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on Monday, the first day after the Chinese mainland resumed full normal travel with the special administrative regions.

Fang Zhibo, director of the front-line inspection station of the bridge, said the number of passengers and vehicles that move in and out of Guangdong via the bridge was expected to grow to more than 45,000 people visits and 12,000 vehicle visits per day in the coming weeks.

The number of tourists, business representatives and students who went back to schools have seen steady growth since Monday, he said.

The border inspection department has simplified cross-boundary procedures to better serve passengers and vehicles.

As of Monday, more than 505,000 people visits and 165,000 vehicle visits had been logged in and out of the mainland via the bridge since Jan 8, up 195 percent and 68 percent, respectively, year-on-year.