Hong Kong's Immigration Department expects 4.25 million people to pass through Hong Kong's land, sea and air control points during the seven-day Labor Day holiday period (or Golden Week), up 16 percent year on year.

Golden Week is the traditional peak travel period for Chinese mainland tourists and Hong Kong is a popular destination. A total of 460,000 Chinese mainland tourists are expected to visit Hong Kong.

According to the department, by 5:00 PM Sunday, a total of 156,00 people entered into Hong Kong via land, air, sea routes.

April 30 is a peak period for Hong Kong residents' traveling out. About 20,000 Hong Kong people left for the Chinese mainland via Lok Ma Chau check point at the small hours Sunday, set a record at this time of a day.

The department said, with the end of the Labor Day holidays in Hong Kong on May 2 and the arrival of more Chinese mainland tourists, May 2 will be a peak period for passengers to enter into Hong Kong.

A total of 200,000 people are expected to enter into Hong Kong via cross-border check points on May 2.

The Immigration Department has added more hands at various border check points. Only Lo Wu check point opens over 100 counters for receiving passengers.

(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2005)