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Mainland China’s Huanggang checkpoint will speed up its processing of travellers with a dual aim of shortening the time spent in immigration and contributing to Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) development, a top Shenzhen official has said.

Wang Gang, chief of the Shenzhen Exit and Entry Port Office, on Tuesday said visitors entering the mainland through the facility would only need to have their identity documents inspected once, instead of the double check carried out at most other crossings.

The changes will be achieved through a co-location arrangement, which combines immigration clearance for the mainland and Hong Kong under one roof. The facility is currently closed and expected to finish renovations in 2026.

Wang, speaking to mainland media, also pointed to the checkpoint’s importance within the Lok Ma Chau Loop, which will be home to the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park.

“The core of the development of ‘one zone, two parks’ relies on the new Huanggang port,” said Wang, referring to the name used to describe the area that also includes the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone.

“The transformation of a port can free up more land and release more space, allowing for further expansion and growth in these technology innovation zones.”

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Hong Kong will be able to close the Lok Ma Chau control point under the arrangements, freeing up more land to develop the San Tin Technopole – a proposed I&T cluster in the north of the city.

Huanggang is currently connected to Lok Ma Chau, one of Hong Kong’s 14 border checkpoints with the mainland.

Wang’s comments follow Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung’s confirmation in May that the two cities had agreed to the co-location arrangement at the checkpoint and were actively exploring the implementation of “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” procedures there.

The work of inspection units from both sides would not change significantly, but the clearance time for the public would be shorter, Wang said.

The mainland official also announced the Shenzhen side of the Lo Wu checkpoint would implement a frequent traveller programme to speed up the processing of regular users of the facility such as students, businessmen and technology professionals.

He did not reveal a timeline for implementing the programme.

The Lo Wu checkpoint had been the busiest border checkpoint since the mainland and Hong Kong resumed quarantine-free travel at the beginning of the year, with 23 million people passing through, according to Wang.

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Futian came second with 21 million visitors in the past seven months, followed by Shenzhen Bay, the West Kowloon high-speed rail terminus, Liantang-Heung Yuen Wai and Man Kam To.

Wang pointed out that many people from both cities had an emotional attachment to the mainland side of the Lo Wu checkpoint as it symbolised Shenzhen’s opening up and reform in 1980. The facility would be preserved, allowing people to experience collective cultural memories, he said.

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Counters had been set up at various ports to make it easier to exchange yuan and encourage more Hong Kong residents to spend in Shenzhen, Wang said.

QR codes are also on display to help users download mobile payment applications, while free Wi-fi has been installed in the surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, Wang’s office announced 18 new arrangements to facilitate passenger clearance on its official WeChat account. The measures include providing free consultation services, mobile phone charging stations and luggage trolleys.

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