A customs officer guides a passenger arriving in Shenzhen from Hong Kong at the Lo Wu Control Point in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
SHENZHEN/HONG KONG, Feb. 6 -- The Chinese mainland fully resumed normal travel with the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs) starting Monday, in what is expected to be a strong boost for the two regions' economic development.
Starting Monday, the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Control Point and the Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang Control Point opened up, marking the full resumption of the functioning of all seven boundary control points between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Monday's first group of travelers included students, cyclists, and people traveling for business and family reunions.
At the Liantang Control Point, red welcome banners and flower bouquets added to the joyful atmosphere greeting commuters. Around 6:30 a.m., cross-boundary students and their parents, who were about to leave for Hong Kong for the new semester, were already queued up for departure.
Pan Qiaojuan, who lives in Shenzhen's Luohu district, arrived early with her son for the long-awaited trip. "I've been looking forward to this moment. Today, my son will go back to his middle school in Hong Kong and we will also visit his grandparents there. We haven't seen one another for a long time."
Group tours between the mainland and the two SARs also resumed on Monday.
Passengers depart for Hong Kong at the Lo Wu Control Point in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
A traveler passes the ticket gate at the Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang Control Point at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary in south China, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
A staff member helps a traveler pass the ticket gate at the Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang Control Point at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary in south China, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Cycling enthusiasts from Hong Kong arrive in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Choi Kai Yeung, the first traveler since the operation of the Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang Control Point, passes the ticket gate at the Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang Control Point at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary in south China, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Travelers arrive at the departure hall of the Lo Wu Control Point at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary in south China, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Staff members are on duty at the departure hall of the Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang Control Point at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary in south China, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Travelers arrive at the departure hall of the Lo Wu Control Point at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary in south China, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
A traveler leaves a note on a billboard after arriving in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Travelers arrive in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Travelers go through entry procedures at the Lo Wu Control Point at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary in south China, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
The first batch of travelers from Hong Kong to Shenzhen pass the bridge linking the two cities at the Lo Wu Control Point at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary in south China, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Vehicles depart for Hong Kong at the Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang Control Point at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary in south China, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Members of a tour group from south China's Guangdong Province pose for a photo with the mascot of Macao tourism in south China's Macao, Feb. 6, 2023. The Chinese mainland fully resumed normal travel with the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs) starting Monday, in what is expected to be a strong boost for the two regions' economic development. On Monday, a total of 135 people from six mainland tour groups arrived in Macao. The Macao Government Tourism Office held welcoming ceremonies at the Hengqin port and Macao International Airport respectively, presenting souvenirs to tour group members. [Photo/Xinhua]
Members of a tour group from south China's Guangdong Province pose for a group photo at Hengqin port in south China's Macao, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Members of a tour group from south China's Guangdong Province select characteristic food at a shop in south China's Macao, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
A member of a tour group from south China's Guangdong Province takes a selfie in south China's Macao, Feb. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
