On August 29th, the Hong Kong SAR government, in collaboration with Shenzhen authorities, conducted its second cross-border stress test at the rebuilt Huanggang Port. The exercise mobilized approximately 20,000 civil servants, involved over 70 policy bureaus and departments, and deployed nearly 300 buses. According to Hong Kong's Secretary for Security, Tang Ping-keung, this was the largest-scale rehearsal since the port's reconstruction and is planned to be the final one.
What does 20,000 people passing through in an hour actually look like? Tang Ping-keung provided a detailed report card at a post-drill press conference. The test was conducted at an intensity of 20,000 people per hour, doubling the 10,000 from the previous exercise. All 202 immigration counters at the Hong Kong port area were fully operational, compared to only about two-thirds last time. Based on on-site reporter measurements, excluding queue time, travelers using the "three-gate" system could complete the process in as little as 30 seconds, with most taking around one minute. The Secretary noted that the process was smooth, with the maximum waiting time not exceeding fifteen minutes.
This drill was structured as a "circular test," where participants started at the departure hall on the 5th floor, exited via both automated and manual counters, proceeded to the Shenzhen side, and then returned to Hong Kong through the arrival hall on the 4th floor, repeating the loop. Tang himself also took part in the experience. Additionally, authorities designed a "mass congregation test" simulating 15,000 people arriving from the mainland in five batches of 3,000 each, with five-minute intervals between batches—a timing based on the frequency of Shenzhen Metro arrivals.
Tang acknowledged that there are differences in transport capacity between the two cities. To address this, the Transport Department has added dedicated public transport lanes from Fanling Highway and San Tin Highway to the new Shenzhen road. A bus buffer zone has also been established near the port, with reserve vehicles able to arrive within 3 to 5 minutes for pick-up. The public transport interchange was tested at an intensity of 600 buses per hour, a 20% increase from last time. However, due to lessons learned from the previous drill, the traffic flow was even smoother than during the 10,000-person test.
The "Five-in-One" Lane: A Real One-Minute Cross-Border Experience
The so-called "five-in-one" joint one-stop lane compresses the inspection procedures of five agencies—Shenzhen Customs, Shenzhen Immigration Inspection, Hong Kong Immigration Department, Hong Kong Department of Health, and Hong Kong Customs—into a single lane. "You drive up to the collection machine, present your documents and scan your fingerprints," Tang explained. "Once done, all the gates open one by one, allowing you to enter the mainland, which is far more convenient than before." He also expressed gratitude to Shenzhen's inspection units and relevant departments for their strong assistance during the drill, describing the synchronized test as running very smoothly overall.
Going a step further than the previous 10,000-person drill, today's exercise included real vehicles conducting actual customs clearance tests. The waiting time for each vehicle did not exceed ten minutes, and the clearance process took roughly one to over one minute. Tang noted that his colleagues also participated in the test and felt the process was very smooth.
Beyond the clearance process itself, the drill had a strong "real-world combat" flavor. Hong Kong Customs showcased its anti-smuggling procedures in the vehicle inspection area: a private car was selected for inspection after a risk assessment at the "Customs Pre-arrival Booth," with a screen directing it to the inspection zone. Customs officers questioned the driver about their itinerary, inspected the luggage compartment, and used a sniffer dog for a simultaneous search. In another demonstration, Customs had pre-hidden a suitcase containing simulated smuggled gold inside a test vehicle and utilized the "Mobile X-ray Vehicle Inspection System" for scanning. This system, incorporating backscatter X-ray technology, can not only accurately identify high-density metals like gold and weapons but also clearly highlight organic substances such as drugs and explosives in the scan images.
Fire Services Join the Drill for the First Time, Simulating a Response to a Vehicle Fire
In preparation for the port's opening, the Fire Services Department's Huanggang Fire Station is about to become operational, with a hydraulic platform and a rescue vehicle to be permanently stationed at the building. Today's drill simulated an electric vehicle fire: firefighters first inserted an "emergency plug" into the charging socket to prevent the vehicle from moving during the rescue, then used a thermal imaging camera to locate the heat source in the battery pack under the car, and applied a high-pressure water spray to cool it down continuously. If the fire remained uncontrolled, they would cover it with a fire blanket to cut off oxygen, followed by a battery fire suppression system that pierces the battery casing from underneath to inject water for cooling. The entire drill process was clear and methodical, with professional equipment, providing a solid foundation for the port's future fire safety.
How Close is Huanggang Port to an Official Opening?
In his concluding remarks, Tang stated that the drill "achieved the expected results and was very smooth overall." He confirmed this was the final large-scale, full-process rehearsal planned, and the government will now conduct an internal review to decide whether another full-scale test is necessary. They will also hold a joint meeting with Shenzhen to finalize the clearance arrangements in terms of safety and smooth operation. Regarding certain details that still need refinement, such as slow Wi-Fi reception in some areas during peak hours, the Hong Kong side will conduct targeted tests to improve the situation.
From the 10,000 participants in the last drill to today's 20,000; from simulated tests to real vehicles passing through; from two-thirds of the counters being open to all 202 being fully operational—the escalating intensity and realism of these exercises are building increasing anticipation for the official launch of the Huanggang Port.
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