New data released by the Zhuhai General Station of Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection show that 17.77 million passengers crossed the Hengqin checkpoint in the first half of 2026—a year-on-year surge of 27.8 percent. Vehicle movements hit 2.21 million, up 40.6 percent, with Macao single-plate cars accounting for two-thirds of traffic. The spike underscores the success of the “Macau Vehicles Northbound” scheme and the rollout of one-stop, biometric vehicle lanes earlier this year. Faster clearance has shaved average processing times below two minutes per car, luring more Macao drivers to the mainland for tourism, shopping and work-related trips. For mobility managers, the figures translate into heavier demand for cross-border hotel blocks, car-hire fleets and employee shuttles servicing Hengqin’s free-trade zone—home to gaming, finance and traditional-Chinese-medicine clusters relocating from Macao. Companies should anticipate tighter weekend accommodation and secure long-stay leases well ahead of the October Golden Week. Officials pledged further upgrades, including remote customs declaration and an expanded facial-recognition corridor for pedestrians. Observers expect monthly throughput to breach four million by year-end if infrastructure keeps pace, cementing Hengqin’s position as the busiest people-to-people gateway in the GBA.
Source: Securities Times (via CCTV News)
