Pressure tests at new Huangguang Port next month

The Hong Kong government will officially take over the Hong Kong Port Area at the new Huanggang Port on Friday.

The checkpoint could open as early as September, while authorities have scheduled pressure tests and anti-terrorism drills next month.

The Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Ordinance takes effect this Friday, marking a formal handover to Hong Kong authorities.

Chief Executive John Lee says the government will complete the installation of facilities as soon as possible before announcing an opening date once everything is ready.

The new Huanggang Port building is expected to begin operation as early as September.

Both Customs and Immigration have been preparing for it.

Customs has transported clearance equipment to the site, with installation and testing expected to take around two weeks after the handover.

Immigration has installed its e-channels and will activate the system once the ordinance takes effect. As the new Huanggang Port will adopt a new "joint inspection, one-stop clearance" model, allowing travellers to complete immigration procedures in a single process, immigration officers need to conduct on-site trial operations before the checkpoint opens.

Former Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok says the new model involves close coordination between Hong Kong and mainland officers, so the on-site rehearsals could help identify procedural issues and ensure smooth border clearance.

Authorities plan to conduct pressure tests, major incident and anti-terrorism exercise at the new Huanggang Port as early as August 21.

To prepare for the opening, the Immigration Department will redeploy officers from other boundary checkpoints, while also recruiting retired personnel on one-year contracts, with posts available up to the rank of Chief Immigration Officer.

Customs will also hire retired officers as assistants to manage travellers flow.