The dream of a “one-hour living circle” in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is becoming a reality, thanks to new policies and groundbreaking cross-border infrastructure.
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), a Y-shaped engineering marvel, has been a game-changer since its official opening on October 23, 2018. Connecting Guangdong Province with the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, the bridge has significantly boosted interconnectivity across the GBA. By October 22 this year, over 62.3 million passenger trips and 12.76 million vehicle trips had crossed the Zhuhai Highway Port.
Traffic surged after policies introduced last year allowed eligible private cars from Hong Kong and Macao to travel to Guangdong via the bridge without needing regular quotas. The northbound travel program for Macao vehicles kicked off on January 1, 2023, followed by a similar program for Hong Kong vehicles six months later. By October 2024, 34,214 private cars from Macao had been registered, with customs authorities processing more than 2.38 million vehicles.
Gongbei Port, the main passenger channel between Zhuhai and Macao, made history on November 20, 2024, by becoming one of China’s first ports to launch a pilot “card-free” customs channel. Since Macao’s return to China, the port has handled over 2.2 billion entry-exit trips, with daily peaks nearing half a million travelers.
The integration took another leap forward with the launch of the Hengqin line of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) on December 2, 2024. This line connects Macao with Hengqin in Zhuhai, covering 2.2 kilometers with just two stations—Lotus Station and Hengqin Station. The entire journey takes about two minutes, with trains running every six minutes, further tightening the bond between the two regions.
These developments are not just about infrastructure; they’re about bringing communities closer. The enhanced connectivity is paving the way for Macao’s deeper integration into the GBA, opening up new opportunities for collaboration, economic growth, and cultural exchange.
Reference(s):
Macao by numbers: 'One-hour living circle' to become reality
cgtn.com
