One bridge links three regions, turning a natural barrier into a thoroughfare. January 6, 2025, marked a historic moment: the cumulative number of inbound and outbound passengers at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Zhuhai Port surpassed 100 million. This world's longest sea-crossing bridge has become a vital milestone for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's interconnectivity.
This seamless, "commute-like" clearance experience has long extended beyond the flow of people and vehicles at ports. On November 8, 2025, as morning mist still lingered over Zhuhai, cyclists in China's 15th National Games road cycling competition shot like arrows from the starting line. Along the 231.8-kilometer course, they crossed the three customs territories of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao six times without slowing down or stopping—seamless clearance made competing across regions feel effortless. Wang Peiyang, deputy director of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Customs, noted during an interview that the clearance model is a national first, achieving what he described as "second-level clearance."
The concept of "seamless clearance" has also permeated from the race track into the daily lives of people in the GBA. From the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" and "Northbound Travel for Macao Vehicles" schemes to the new "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles" policy, this relay of initiatives has made the "one-hour living circle" a tangible reality. For Ou Qianting, General Manager and Founder of the YOUNGGUYS Youth Community, these policies are transformative. "We need to go to Hong Kong once or twice every week," she said, noting that the new southbound scheme "saved a lot of time on switching between different modes of transport."
Business leaders also highlighted the mutual benefits. Huang Dadong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Jiangmen General Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the significance of the "two-way flow" from the earlier northbound to the current southbound policies, stating that it "promotes economic development" and is something the business community "is very much looking forward to."
The data mirrored this vibrant mobility. As of January 9, the cumulative number of registered vehicles under the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong and Macao Vehicles" schemes has exceeded 200,000. Following the launch of the "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles" scheme, over 800 private cars from Guangdong have completed registration for travel to Hong Kong.
In innovation hubs like Shenzhen's Hetao, one-stop services break down market access barriers. To date, 262 GBA standards have been promulgated and implemented, providing clear guidelines for industrial collaboration, and 187 government services are available for cross-boundary processing, reducing legwork and increasing convenience. According to Li Ming, an official from Zhuhai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, Hong Kong-funded enterprises can now complete their entire establishment, from application and approval to license collection, via genuine "cross-border processing" with zero need for physical travel.
From "no need to brake" on the race track to an effortless connection behind the wheel, seamless clearance brings a revolution in lifestyle for studying, working, doing business, and visiting family. This represents the key transition in GBA integration: hard connectivity in infrastructure paves the way, while soft connectivity in rules empowers the flow. This vibrant land is proving that true integration means crossing without perception. It is an instinct for collaboration, enabling every individual to live a freer and more fulfilling daily life through this interconnected journey.
