Cotai border to relocate to Hengqin

The local government and the mainland Chinese government have reached a preliminary consensus regarding moving the Lotus Border Checkpoint to Hengqin, according to a statement released yesterday by the Public Security Police Force (PSP) and the Macau SAR Identification Department (DSI).

At the invitation of the Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration of China, the DSI and PSP jointly organized a delegation of eight people to visit Beijing between Jan. 16 to 18.

In addition to holding an annual work meeting, the delegation visited Beijing’s exit and entry department, with both Macau and Beijing exchanging technical applications and convenience measures on matters relating to document issuing on both sides.

“At the meeting, the two sides reported on the work of 2018. [Both sides] exchanged opinions and reached a consensus regarding strengthening exchange and cooperation, setting up a special task force for the inspection of Guangdong and Macau ports, relocating Lotus Border Checkpoint and verifying documents of mainland residents who resettled in Macau,” the statement reads.

Regarding the Lotus Border Checkpoint, which currently links Macau to Hengqin island, there is another matter involving the location of the port: the Light Rapid Transit.

Previously, Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo do Rosário said that the location of the extensive section of the LRT, in particular, the Hengqin port stop, will depend on the relocation of the border.

Currently, Lotus Border Checkpoint is connected with the Hengqin port via bridge. Individual passengers (but not group tours) must take a shuttle bus after crossing the Lotus port on the Macau side. The shuttle bus takes passengers to the Hengqin port and costs MOP6.