The quota under the scheme to enable Macao-registered motor vehicles to enter Hengqin Island in Zhuhai Prefecture has been revised upward, to 800 from 100, as part of the second phase of the scheme.

Starting from today, owners of Macao-registered vehicles working in Hengqin New Area, and owners of Macao-registered vehicles who also own a residential unit, or an office unit, or a shop in Hengqin New Area, are qualified to apply to Macao and Zhuhai authorities to have their respective vehicles allowed to enter Hengqin.

The Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, said the quota increase followed close contacts with mainland authorities, including regular reviews of the scheme’s implementation. The goal was to continue implementing the scheme in a phased manner, he added.

Mr Wong’s comments were made on the sidelines of a Government reception to mark the 18th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Mr Wong said that – since 20 December 2016, when the scheme was first introduced – authorities had received applications for a total of 37 vehicles to be allowed to enter Hengqin. There are currently a total of 21 vehicles with a valid permit to enter Hengqin. The low number of applications so far was believed to be linked to the strict eligibility criteria set in the first phase of the scheme, he added.