The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today directed Government departments to speed up their efforts to optimise facilities at the Macao boundary crossing area of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao (HKZM) Bridge.

The optimisation of facilities, particularly those at the customs clearance building, was important in order to ensure convenience for the public once the Bridge was opened to traffic, he added.

During a visit this morning to the Macao boundary crossing area, Mr Chui directed that the Secretary for Security, and the Secretary for Transport and Public Works would be responsible for overseeing the operation of the area.

The Chief Executive also specified the duties of related public departments with regard to: law enforcement; management; repair and maintenance of the boundary crossing area serving Macao; and coordination of such duties via a cross-departmental mechanism.

The State Council had earlier approved Macao’s jurisdiction over the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge boundary crossing area serving Macao. Macao’s responsibility for the area was effective after the stroke of midnight today (Thursday).

While on his visit during the daytime today, Mr Chui was briefed on the ceremony that had taken place at midnight to mark Macao’s jurisdiction. Later, he posed for a group photograph with representatives from, respectively, some public departments and representatives of those departments that had already taken possession of facilities at the boundary crossing area.

Mr Chui was accompanied by the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário; the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Mr Ma Io Kun; and the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Iao Lek.

During the visit, Government officials listened to briefings on the overall progress of the boundary crossing area and the customs clearance building, including road planning, transportation, inspection facilities, clearance procedures and equipment for quarantine. The officials also inspected clearance equipment and quarantine facilities.