The Commissioner of Customs, Mr Timothy Tong Hin-ming, today (August 25) led a delegation to visit the Huanggang Customs and the Shekou construction site of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor (HK-SWC).
During the visit, Commissioner Tong paid a courtesy call to the Director General of Shenzhen Customs, Mr Zou Zhiwu.
"We had fruitful discussions on topics of mutual interests, particularly on the strengthening of co-operation in customs clearance to facilitate trade, and enhancement of intelligence exchange to step up crackdown operations against cross-boundary smuggling activities," Commissioner Tong said.
During the visit to Huanggang Customs, Commissioner Tong was briefed on the passenger and cargo clearance procedures.
Shenzhen Customs officials also briefed Commissioner Tong on the "Automated Clearance System" which had significantly increased the efficiency in cargo clearance.
Commissioner Tong was impressed with the system.
He said that a well-established electronic customs clearance system could expedite the adoption of risk management in cargo selection and inspection, noting that "paperless" customs clearance should be the ultimate goal of all forward-looking Customs administrations.
The Hong Kong delegation later visited the Shekou construction site of the HK-SWC. The "Shenzhen Bay Control Point" will be the fourth boundary crossing, linking the northwest New Territories to Shekou, following Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok Control Points.
"Upon the completion of this new control point, Hong Kong's position as a logistics and business hub will be further enhanced," Commissioner Tong said.
It is expected this control point will be able to handle a peak hourly traffic of about 150 coaches, 1 640 private cars and 2,600 goods vehicles in one direction.
Ends/Wednesday, August 25, 2004