Construction of the main structures of Hengqin's "second-tier" customs surveillance zones was almost completed as of June 30, while the purchasing and installation of supporting facilities, such as video surveillance and computer rooms, have been completed.

Construction of the 245,427-sq-m (61-acre) "second-tier" customs surveillance zones started on Dec 6, 2021 with investment of 597 million yuan ($89 million). With floorage of 28,796 sqm (7 acres), the zones cover five passages and seven customs inspection sites, including ones at Hengqin Bridge, Shenjing Passage, and North Hengqin Station.

Construction site of a "second-tier" customs surveillance zone at Hengqin Bridge [Photo courtesy WeChat account: hengqinzaixian2021]

Final touches, such as the R&D and construction of smart supporting systems, will be moved forward in the second half of 2022. Priority will be given to public transportation, with a particular focus on rail transit, while a dual-circulation system featuring buses and taxis will also be established.

An official of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin noted that the project will accelerate the efficient, convenient, and safe flow of various kinds of resources and elements between Hengqin and Macao, promoting the high-level integration of Hengqin and Macao.

Building high-quality and high-standard "second-tier" customs surveillance zones is vital to the Cooperation Zone's "first-tier" and "second-tier" customs surveillance, as well as to Hengqin's closed operation scheduled in the end of December.

As of May, construction on phase II of Hengqin's "first-tier" customs surveillance zones was 70 percent completed, with work on coach and truck channels, as well as innovations on customs clearance models currently underway.

In addition, Guangdong has been working with the General Administration of Customs on detailed policies, as well as on speeding up infrastructure construction for Hengqin's "first-tier" and "second-tier" customs surveillance, according to officials at a press conference held by the People's Government of Guangdong Province in April.