Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Wednesday said that the opening of the Heung Yuen Wai Control Point at the border with Shenzhen marked a milestone in cooperation between the two cities, as the new facility will further ease the flow of goods across the border.

Lam made her remarks at the opening ceremony of the new control point on Wednesday morning. Heung Yuen Wai Control Point, is named Liantang Port in Shenzhen, is the seventh land transport port between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

The new crossing started operation at 4 pm on Wednesday, but because of COVID-19 restrictions, only cargo trucks are currently allowed.

At the opening ceremony, Lam said that the new control point can enhance the smooth flow of goods across the border by shortening the travel time between Hong Kong, Shenzhen and the eastern region of Guangdong province.

The smoother and more efficient flow of trade can further facilitate cooperation and development between the region and also with neighboring provinces, she added.

Lam said the opening of this control point represents another major step in achieving the "one-hour living circle" plan within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, after the completion of various transportation projects, including Hong Kong's high-speed railway link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

The Bay Area development initiative has greatly enhanced the importance of this cross-border project, which was hammered out in 2008, she said.

After the control point opens to travelers and private cars in the future, the facility has the capacity to handle daily traffic of 30,000 passengers and 17,850 vehicles, including 15,000 trucks, 2,000 cars and 850 buses.

Shenzhen customs have installed the latest surveillance equipment that can detect contraband materials without the need to open containers for inspection.

The passenger areas are 5G ready for commuters' convenience.

The new control point also set a model and provided opportunities to optimize the existing crossings between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, Lam added.