Private vehicles' crossing at multiple borders may lead to congestion, John Lee warns

Allowing private vehicles to use multiple border crossings requires close coordination between Hong Kong and mainland authorities to ensure smooth traffic operations, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said.

"Of course, it is convenient for drivers to use different crossings, but we must ensure smooth traffic flow at each checkpoint," Lee said before the Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.

“However, without proper regulation, some more convenient crossings could face severe congestion, which could spill over into urban areas."

Lee noted that border crossings involve traffic management on both sides, requiring full cooperation between Hong Kong and mainland departments to address potential bottlenecks.

Currently, private cars with dual license plates are restricted to using specific ports for travel between Hong Kong and the mainland.

To provide more flexibility, Lee said certain taxis and cross-boundary buses have been allowed to use multiple crossings since 2023.

He added that his administration will study ways to improve traffic management at border crossings and better meet public expectations.

Authorities will also work with mainland counterparts to monitor the situation and explore solutions, Lee said.

(Ayra Wang)