(Photo: CGTN)

South China's Guangdong Province will study the possibility of allowing private cars from Hong Kong and Macao SARs to enter the mainland via Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) when it opens later this year.

In a reply to Zheng Weicong, member of China’s political advisory body the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department said it would work with other departments on policies regarding private car passengers from Hong Kong and Macao passing through HZMB’s Zhuhai Port to enter or exit the mainland.

The department will scrutinize traffic conditions of neighboring road networks before reaching a decision.

Authorities are also studying on how to support disaster relief and ambulance services across the three regions, such as by opening a special lane for rapid clearance of vehicles for rescue missions.

According to the department, Guangdong and Hong Kong agreed in 2017 to issue 11,000 commercial vehicle quotas before opening of the bridge. Two months after the bridge opens, authorities may issue another 5,500 quotas, with an annual increase of 1,320 quotas three years later.

However, the current quota for Hong Kong commercial vehicles entering Guangdong has been used up due to strong demand. In consideration of road carrying capacity, Guangdong will not issue any quotas for commercial vehicles to Macao.