HONG KONG, June 14 — Following the opening of the Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang Boundary Control Point (BCP), policymakers and candidates are converging on strategies to leverage the crossing’s critical geographic location to spur commercial and logistics development in Hong Kong’s eastern corridor. The consensus from multiple political factions suggests that transforming the area surrounding the BCP from a mere transit zone into a thriving economic hub requires immediate investment in retail infrastructure, cross-border freight facilities, and optimized customs processes.
The Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai BCP has emerged as a popular route for residents traveling north into mainland China, solidifying its role in the “East-in, East-out” freight and passenger paradigm—a strategy aiming to alleviate traffic congestion on the western Shenzhen-Hong Kong crossings. Several prospective leaders advocate for swift action, proposing everything from large-scale commercial complexes to sophisticated, climate-controlled storage facilities integrated with mainland supply chains.
Prioritizing Logistics Infrastructure
A key proposal involves modernizing the BCP’s logistics capabilities to handle increased cross-border trade. Tam Chun-kwok, the Chairman of the New Territories Association of Societies, emphasized the urgent need to enhance the BCP’s freight infrastructure, including customs inspection facilities and the development of a modern logistics industrial park nearby.
Mr. Tam noted that the business community views the adjacent land potential favorably, seeing it as fertile ground for economic growth. He pledged, if elected, to act as a crucial liaison between the government and the private sector to accelerate development, thereby boosting the local economy and generating essential employment opportunities.
Further supporting the logistics push, Tsang King-chung of the Federation of Trade Unions proposed reserving land near the Liantang BCP for secure, temperature-controlled warehousing and storage facilities. He argued that these specialized units are essential for seamless integration with the mainland market, particularly for high-value or perishable goods. Mr. Tsang highlighted the positive feedback loop catalyzed by advanced customs procedures, such as the widely adopted facial recognition screening already implemented at Liantang, which streamlines research, innovation, and business exchanges. This ease of movement, he suggested, attracts more tech enterprises and specialized talent, creating a positive cycle where “people flow drives industry, and industry drives logistics.”
Developing a Cross-Border Commercial District
Beyond freight, several candidates are pushing for consumer-focused development to better serve both mainland visitors and local residents. Yiu Ming of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong suggested that the former peripheral areas of the Northern Metropolis should now be viewed as the development centerpiece of Hong Kong.
Mr. Yiu recommended constructing shopping malls or comprehensive consumer parks near the checkpoint. This strategy is designed to concentrate spending locally, preventing the unintended consequence of over-concentrated border crossings impacting existing residential areas while simultaneously maximizing the BCP’s economic value.
Echoing the necessity of the “East-in, East-out” model, another candidate, Gary Shek, also stressed utilizing the eastern crossings to ease pressure on western Shenzhen traffic, alongside strengthening internal Hong Kong transport links, such as connecting the Northern Link railway system with strategic areas like San Tin.
Meanwhile, Liao Tze-chung of the New People’s Party emphasized the need for systemic efficiency, urging the government to optimize entirely the immigration and customs procedures to simplify travel and commercial exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland. Successful implementation of these proposals would not only strengthen Hong Kong’s economic resilience but also fully realize the potential of the Northern Metropolis as a key nexus in the Greater Bay Area integration strategy.
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