The first phase of the reopening of the border between Hong Kong and the mainland will be implemented from Jan. 8, allowing up to 60,000 Hong Kong residents each day to enter the mainland via sea, land and air control points without quarantine, said Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee.

Photo shows chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee and officials during a press conference on Jan. 5, 2023, in Hong Kong, south China. (Photo/Chen Duo, Xinhua)

HONG KONG- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Thursday that a daily quota of 60,000 Hong Kong residents are allowed to enter the mainland in the first phase of border reopening from Jan. 8.

Lee said during a press conference on Thursday afternoon that after consultation with mainland authorities and approval by the central government, the first phase of the reopening of the border between Hong Kong and the mainland will be implemented from Jan. 8, allowing up to 60,000 Hong Kong residents each day to enter the mainland via sea, land and air control points without quarantine.

For Hong Kong residents to enter the mainland, a total of 50,000 of the 60,000 daily quota will be allocated at the three land control points, namely Shenzhen Bay, Man Kam To and Lok Ma Chau, while the remaining 10,000 will be available through ferry terminals, the Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, he said.

The 50,000 daily quota at the three land control points will also apply to mainland residents heading to Hong Kong, according to Lee.

Both Hong Kong and mainland residents must book their quota places in advance via an online application system.

However, Hong Kong residents going back to the city from the mainland and mainland residents in Hong Kong heading north will be exempt from the quota arrangement, he said.

He added that the HKSAR government will review how the initial reopening goes and keep in touch with mainland authorities before deciding when to increase the quota to ensure a safe, orderly and smooth reopening.