Hong Kong launches Southbound Travel scheme for Guangdong vehicles

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has launched the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, allowing eligible private vehicles from Guangdong Province to enter Hong Kong. The initiative comprises two phases: starting November 15, approved vehicles can park at automated facilities on the artificial island at the Hong Kong Port via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, facilitating transfers to Hong Kong International Airport or local transport; from December 23, approved vehicles may drive directly into Hong Kong's urban areas without requiring traditional travel quotas. Initially, the scheme is open to private car owners from four Guangdong cities—Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Jiangmen, and Zhongshan—with plans to expand to all Guangdong cities after six months. The program complements the existing Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles scheme and aims to deepen integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with a focus on safety, traffic management, and streamlined applications. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee expressed gratitude for the support from the Chinese central and Guangdong provincial governments in implementing this significant cross-border initiative.