4th drill at redeveloped Huanggang Port involving 20k civil servants

Some 20,000 civil servants from more than 70 departments were mobilised possibly for the last time to take part in the fourth large-scale stress tests at the Hong Kong Port Area of the redeveloped Huanggang Port, doubling the number last time.

The drill this time also simulated peak traffic periods with five batches of “southbound” passengers totalling 15,000 commuters.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang described the process as smooth and orderly.

300 public transport vehicles including buses and minibuses participated in the drill today.

Four to five franchised double deckers can drop off passengers at this zone on the second floor with crowd management measures in place.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang and Commissioner for Transport Winnie Tse were also at the site.

The drill last time tested two-thirds of the port’s capacity while this time, the exercise trialled clearance procedures at all 60 gates and 120 e-channels.

Authorities say they will work to further improve the port’s Wi-Fi services after this drill.

When the port officially opens, citizens can cross the border with either their Hong Kong ID cards or the home return permits.

Secretary for Security CHRIS TANG: “Today’s exercise so far is smooth and we consider it as a successful exercise. Whether we still need to do a big exercise as such, we will do an internal review. But of course some small-scale exercises in particular targeted individual areas, we will still have to do quite a few exercises.”