Hongkongers can enjoy faster border access under new mainland Chinese measures

Hongkongers will be able to use facial recognition at more mainland Chinese checkpoints, while more professionals from additional regions across the border will be granted longer stays in the city under new policies announced by national immigration authorities on Monday.

According to the National Immigration Administration, Hong Kong residents with a mainland travel permit will, from Wednesday onwards, be able to cross the border through “intelligent” fast lanes at designated mainland ports in Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai.

“[Eligible residents] aged 14 and above, and agree to have their facial and fingerprint information collected and verified, may choose to go through the intelligent fast lanes in the ports mentioned above through facial recognition,” the administration said.

The new arrangement will also apply to Macau and Taiwan residents holding valid mainland travel permits.

Facial recognition clearance has already been implemented at Shenzhen Bay Port and Gongbei Port in Zhuhai. Newly added checkpoints include Huanggang, Luohu, Liantang, Futian and Wenjindu in Shenzhen, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.

As part of the 10 new measures announced by the National Immigration Administration on Monday, Beijing will also expand the scope of its multi-entry visa scheme for mainland professionals travelling south.