The details of the Mainland Chinese authorities’ policy permitting Macau-licensed vehicles to travel freely in the neighbouring Hengqin New Area will be confirmed this year as the island is now seeing ongoing construction of more supporting transport infrastructure to accommodate the future heavier passenger traffic. The Macau Insurers’ Association mentioned to media in November that it was “highly possible” owners of vehicles with Macau registration plates could purchase a single cross-border motor insurance plan in either Macau or Hengqin in Zhuhai this year, as insurance industry representatives from both the city and Guangdong have been paving the way for a motor insurance policy for locally-licensed cars that can eventually drive freely on Hengqin Island. While currently only one bridge connects Hengqin to the rest of Zhuhai, where the possible entry of over 240,000 Macau-licensed vehicles can impose considerable pressure, Mr. Lao believes that Hengqin authorities will soon announce specifics of the entry policy for local vehicles this year. The only link now connecting the checkpoints of Macau and Hengqin is the Lotus Bridge, where only dual Guangdong-Macau licensed cars and the shuttles of local public bus TCM (Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau) and Kee Kwan Motor Road Co. Ltd. are allowed to run. Speaking to media at an event on Tuesday, Deputy Party Secretary for Hengqin New Area Mr. Ye Zhen remained tightlipped on when the Macau-licensed cars might enter Hengqin. Nevertheless, Mr. Ye noted that his administration was speeding up the construction of the second bridge connecting Hengqin Island to Zhuhai, and expects the project to be completed by the National Day holiday in October, ready for traffic within this year. The construction of an underwater tunnel connecting Hengqin and the rest of Zhuhai City, meant to be a third link safe from typhoons, would also start soon, the Hengqin official informed media.
—
