The Immigration Department of Hong Kong said on Jan. 19 that about 5.8 million people will pass through the land boundary checkpoints on their way to and from the Chinese mainland during the Lunar New Year festive period, an increase of 14.3 percent over last year's holiday period.

The peak period for cross-boundary traffic during the Lunar New Year festive period will be from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1, a spokesperson for the Immigration Department said.

It is estimated that about 4.05 million passengers (an average of 290,000 daily) will use the Lo Wu checkpoint. This represents over 70 percent of total estimated cross-boundary passenger traffic and an increase of 3 percent over the corresponding period last year.

Heavy passenger traffic is also forecast for the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint -- about 1.37 million passengers, a daily average of 98,000. The peak of departures is expected on Jan. 21, with about 66,000 people departing for Shenzhen. The number of arriving passengers is expected to reach a peak of 63,000 on Jan. 25.

An estimated 300,000 mainland visitors will enter Hong Kong viaLo Wu and Lok Ma Chau control points. It has increased 33 percent when comparing with the last year's 226,000.

To cope with the extra demand, the Immigration Department has arranged for 250 officers to reinforce the boundary checkpoints during the festive period through internal deployment.

The Hong Kong Immigration Department and the Shenzhen authorities will also strengthen their co-operation and liaison to ensure smooth and orderly movements across the boundary. If need be, the Lo Wu checkpoint will implement the Contra-Flow Scheme to relieve congestion, said the spokesperson.

(Xinhua News Agency  January 20, 2004)