Countdown begins for Zhuhai bridge customs center

With trial opening in sight for May, the Zhuhai Border Checkpoint of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) is to be handed over to authorities by the end of March before equipment is tested in April.

The checkpoint had entered the final construction stage just prior to Chinese New Year. The significant infrastructure on the Zhuhai-Macao frontier port island will be used to inspect travelers and vehicles from and to Zhuhai and Hong Kong or Macao, making it the only one of its kind in the Pearl River Delta.

With floorage of 1.07 million sq m (1.28 million sq yd), the checkpoint has both comprehensive and business support areas, gasoline and liquid gas stations, and a dedicated transformer substation. Also included are passenger (Zhuhai-Hong Kong and Zhuhai-Macao) and cargo inspection sites, port offices, municipal support facilities, Zhuhai-side transportation center, and passage corridors.

HZMB Zhuhai Border Checkpoint [File Photo]

Jiang Wei, chairman and general manager of HZMB Zhuhai Border Checkpoint Construction & Management Co, said work focus is to coordinate inspection units and other checkpoint departments in joint testing and commissioning of all systems.

In addition, the Chinese mainland and Macao SAR will implement a pioneering joint customs inspection system, with worktables placed "back to back," which is said to be a first in customs clearance nationwide.