Regulation for Macau-licensed vehicles in Hengqin unknown

Leong Veng Chai has urged the government to plan ahead before the clearance arrangement for Macau-licensed vehicles to drive in Hengqin comes into force. He stressed that pressure is likely to increase at the border checkpoint with Hengqin.
In a written enquiry, the lawmaker alluded to a statement made recently by the director general of the Hengqin New Area Administrative Committee, Niu Jing, who told the media that the clearance arrangement for Macau-licensed vehicles to drive in Hengqin would be announced before August.
Leong Veng Chai recalled that the current infrastructure and equipment at the border checkpoint might not be enough to meet the increasing demand to ensure that Macau-licensed vehicles are allowed to drive on the neighboring island.
“With only three months left until August, the government hasn’t put forward any proposals to solve several legal matters, namely differences in driving licenses from Macau and China,” he said.
Furthermore, the law-­maker asked the government whether it is considering moving forward with the mutual recognition of driving licenses – an issue that has raised controversy in recent years. Lawmaker Leong recalled that there are differences not only in Macau and China’s driving rules but also in road signs.
“The Hengqin border checkpoint is operating around the clock; gaming concessionaires are now driving their employees [who live on the mainland] to this border checkpoint, which increases pressure and traffic in the area. With the implementation of a clearance arrangement for Macau vehicles to enter Hengqin, the work volume at the border is bound to increase significantly,” he stressed.
Lawmaker Leong requested for the government to assess whether extra equipment at the border will be enough to meet future demand.
He recalled that, “this is a matter that has captured society’s attention again, as we have only three months until August and no further policies have been announced.” CP