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The controversial cross-border trial that will open Hong Kong streets to drivers from Guangdong province is moving toward full implementation despite public unease in Hong Kong.儲存 Shenzhen drivers are clamoring to get in line for their turn to motor into the HKSAR. SL Luo reports. At a gleaming motor showroom fronting a swanky mall in Futian, Shenzhen’s Central Business District, a cluster of two-seater gas-powered “Little Beetles” stands neatly arrayed to inspire images of themselves tooling along Hong Kong’s Peak Road. “They are smart little cars for both mainland and Hong Kong people. If you don’t prefer a ‘locust’ invasion of Hong Kong, perhaps you can expect a ‘beetles’ invasion when the time comes,” Song Zhibin, a purchasing executive remarks with a wry smile. Mainland promoters are banking on robust sales of the environment-friendly cars once the much touted, though controversial cross-border driving scheme for private cars is fully implemented. When that turn of events happens, qualified drivers from Guangdong will be able to drive across the border to the HKSAR. Guangdong authorities are going to lengths to try to soothe the ruckus in Hong Kong. They’re confident that the “Little Beetle” will help address two of the main grievances Hong Kong residents have about the scheme — chronic road congestion and air pollution — both of which are more likely to get worse, once the second phase of the trial gets the green light from authorities on both sides of the border. Not only will the scheme mean more cars on Hong Kong roads, contributing to greater pollution, the mainland vehicles use a lower grade of fuel. Hong Kong’s Transport Department (TD) denies it has been impeding progress toward getting the cross-border driving scheme fully underway. Still, the widespread sentiment opposed to the plan in Hong Kong hardly can be ignored. There have been street protests by people apprehensive about the impact of thousands of mainland vehicles. Driving culture worries Road congestion and air pollution, however, do not exhaust the concerns about cross-border driving that are giving fits to Hong Kong people. There’s the difference in driving culture and driving habits between Hong Kong and the mainland, both of which point to concerns about road safety. Mainland vehicles, on the other hand, are left-hand drive, Hong Kong vehicles are right-hand drive. Driving experts claim these concerns can be allayed once mainland drivers get used to the local driving climate. The first phase of the scheme was rolled out in March last year, another step forward in the development of closer economic integration between Hong Kong and the mainland. It was also meant as another step toward full-scale cross-border automobile travel with the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Song remarks on the complications on Shenzhen streets in the first two years after electric cars were introduced. He says it would have been even more successful had it not been for teething problems — like the need for recharging stations all over the place and clogging up public spaces. Mainland drivers are enthusiastic about the chance to drive across to Hong Kong and eagerly await their turn. One, Jimmy Huang — a merchant — bought his “Little Beetle” last year and has been yearning for the chance to take it to Hong Kong on business trips. His only concern is the heavy bureaucracy involved on the mainland side, and the “astronomical” price of the permit. “I’m not worried about driving in Hong Kong, much more about the rigid controls likely to be imposed by both sides. Am I qualified for such a license and do I have the necessary connections to get things fixed up?” he asks. He agrees that driving across to Hong Kong in a compact, user-friendly vehicle would 迷你倉rastically reduce his traveling costs over the cost of coming over the border on public transport. “I’ve been saving a lot since I started using this little car over what it used to cost driving an ordinary diesel-propelled vehicle. This is a real concern for me as a businessman,” Huang says. The initial plan was to allow only 50 private vehicles from Hong Kong to enter 21 cities in Guangdong for up to five days. The response from Hong Kong drivers was enthusiastic. As of the end of last month, the Transport Department had received about 2,200 applications, with some 2,000 approved. The second phase would see an equal number of mainland cars allowed to enter the HKSAR each week. “We have been closely monitoring the implementation of the first stage of the scheme, and are in close liaison with the relevant Guangdong authorities and their designated agencies in Hong Kong to improve and fine tune the workflow and information system, thereby enhancing work efficiency and service quality,” a Transport Department spokesman says. Given the enthusiastic response from both Hong and mainland drivers, the two sides will study the issue further and discuss specific arrangements for implementation of the second phase. Second anniversary target The hidden consensus on both sides is that the second phase should get off the ground by the second anniversary of the scheme’s implementation next year, although no concrete timetable has yet been set. “Of course, the scheme can satisfy growing cross-boundary transportation needs and accelerate the pace of economic integration and co-operation between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland,” a TD spokeswoman says. Prior to the implementation of the initial phase of the scheme for private cars, the majority of Hong Kong drivers with cross-border driving permits were professional drivers engaged in cross-boundary business and required to drive across the border regularly in trucks and vans. Current estimates put the number of private Hong Kong-registered vehicles that can cross the border into Guangdong at more than 20,000. Most are government vehicles or vehicles belonging to businessmen with extensive business links on the mainland. Felix Chui — a major shareholder in a Hong Kong-style restaurant chain in Shenzhen — was one of the successful applicants under the first phase of the cross-border driving scheme for private cars. “Our company already has two vehicles with mainland driving permits, but I’ve now obtained a permit in a private capacity,” he says. Chui does not foresee having problems driving on the mainland, although he says he has heard of one or two cases involving Hong Kong drivers in Shenzhen being abused by pedestrians and taken to court for minor traffic offenses. To alleviate tensions likely to arise from the influx of mainland drivers into Hong Kong, academics have suggested setting designated points near the border — such as at Sheung Shui, Yuen Long or Tuen Mun — to allow mainland cars to be parked upon entering the city and setting mainland drivers near to public transport to make their way into the urban areas. Merchant Jimmy Huang says he does not think the proposal is practical or fair to mainland drivers. “I would, perhaps, also like to do some sightseeing in Hong Kong too with my newly acquired privilege,” he says. Contact the writer at theam@chinadailyhk.com You’ll probably see the ‘Beetles’ choking up Shenzhen Bay Bridge when we get the green light in Guangdong for the right to drive across to Hong Kong,” song zhibin purchasing officer I’m not worried about driving in Hong Kong, much more about the rigid controls likely to be imposed by both sides. Am I qualified for such a license and do I have the necessary connections to get things fixed up?” jimmy huang merchant self storage