Hong Kong passengers pour into Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point in the early morning of Sunday as quarantine-free cross-boundary services resume after a three-year halt. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
It was a historic moment as quarantine-free travel between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Chinese mainland resumed on Sunday after being suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were emotional scenes at Shenzhen’s Futian and Wenjindu ports as the first batch of Hong Kong travelers crossed over from Hong Kong checkpoints on Sunday morning in the first phase of the resumption of normal travel between the SAR and the mainland. Tears flowed as they hugged family members and loved ones, many of whom have not seen each other since the virus outbreak in February 2020.
A Hong Kong commuter arriving at Shenzhen’s Futian Port on Sunday morning gets a warm hug from a friend. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
Starting from January 8, a daily quota of 60,000 is set for people to travel each way via seven land, air and sea control points. Four of them — at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To/Wenjindu, Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui — reopened on Sunday.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said after inspecting operations at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point he was satisfied with the arrangements, which were safe, smooth and orderly, and is convinced that the day for quota-free travel between the SAR and the mainland is “certain to arrive” after further assessments have been made.
The first ferry to set sail and operated by Chu Kong Passenger Transport Company, leaves Hong Kong’s China Ferry Terminal for Shenzhen Airport Terminal. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
Hong Kong passengers putting their bags into the luggage compartment of a cross-boundary bus leaving for the Chinese mainland. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
Two women in a tearful embrace outside Futian Port in Shenzhen. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
Members of a family cross into Hong Kong at Shenzhen’s Futian Port. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
Passengers disembark from an MTR train at the terminus of the East Rail Line at Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Station. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
A passenger sets foot in Shenzhen after arriving at Wenjindu Port. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
