Secretary for Security Chris Tang on Friday said he's confident things will be smooth at the revamped Huanggang port when it opens on Monday, citing greater capacity at the new facility as well as numerous drills that were carried out over the past few months.

Huanggang port will be able to handle 200,000 passengers and 15,000 vehicles per day – up from the current maximum capacity of 65,000 and 12,000 respectively.

"That capacity will be utilised on the first day. So, we have full confidence that we can handle the number of passengers and vehicles," Tang told reporters.

Maximum manpower will be deployed on Monday to handle those using the port, and other members of the public are urged not to flock there on the first day, the security chief said.

The revamped facility will open at 6.30am on Monday.

Tang explained that time was chosen after considering that all dual-licence passenger vehicles could make use of the Huanggang crossing during the overnight period.

"We chose 6.30am as our opening time – when only vehicles with Huanggang licence plates are permitted.

"At this time, the crowd is relatively light, so I believe this is the ideal time for the handover."

An official opening ceremony will be held on Sunday.



Edited by Edmond Fong