HK Transport Chief Cautions on Guangdong Cars in Rural Lantau

Hong Kong's Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mable Chan, has advised a cautious approach to proposals allowing vehicles from Guangdong province to access rural South Lantau. Chan stated that any such move would require extensive consultation with local residents and the Islands District Council. This caution comes in light of recent incidents where mainland vehicles have reportedly entered restricted scenic areas on Lantau without authorization.

While the existing Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme has been operating smoothly, allowing a daily quota of 100 private cars into Hong Kong's urban areas, extending this access to sensitive rural zones like South Lantau presents different challenges. The government is also considering extending local Lantau permits to include weekends, but emphasizes the need to balance increased tourism with the traffic concerns of residents.

The decision impacts the delicate balance between promoting tourism and cross-border integration with the need to preserve the environment and manage traffic in Hong Kong's sensitive rural areas.