"Southbound travel for Guangdong vehicles" has been in operation for over a month now. Today (Jan. 25th), the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mable Chan, stated during a television program that the application and reservation numbers for "Southbound travel for Guangdong vehicles" are as expected. Compared to last month, these numbers have shown a steady upward trend, and it is anticipated that they will continue to rise after the second day of the Lunar New Year (Feb. 18). The authorities will monitor the situation closely.
Chan noted that this month, half of the individuals participating in "Southbound travel for Guangdong vehicles" chose to stay overnight in Hong Kong for one or two nights. Therefore, she hopes that shopping malls, hotels, and other establishments will offer promotions to attract these travelers to spend in Hong Kong. Additionally, the authorities plan to expand the "Southbound travel" policy to cover four more cities in Guangdong Province within six months.
Regarding whether to increase the quota or duration of stay, Chan remains open to the idea and mentioned that the situation will be reviewed if there is room in the future. When asked about the number of cases involving violations of traffic regulations by Guangdong vehicles, she emphasized that there are only isolated cases at present, and she believes some drivers may experience initial adaptation issues, which have been promptly addressed without major accidents occurring.
The authorities previously indicated that given the temporary nature of vehicles entering the area, it is permitted for the side windows to be opaque according to international conventions. Chan stated that a comprehensive review of vehicle structure, including the transparency of the glass, will take place in the first half of this year. For example, they will study the need for updates and will consult with the industry before presenting findings to the Legislative Council.
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