Xia Baolong - head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee - visited the soon-to-open new Huanggang Port and a major international container terminal on Wednesday on the second day of his two-day inspection tour of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The inspection tour focuses on the SAR’s alignment with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), as well as the development of the Northern Metropolis.

Xia, who’s also director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, first visited an exhibition hall at the port, accompanied by local senior officials.

The new port, now in its final construction phase, is due to open next month. Located within the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, it will be the world’s largest land checkpoint when completed.

The existing Huanggang Port is the only 24 hour passenger checkpoint between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Xia’s second stop was the container terminal operated by COSCO SHIPPING International (Hong Kong) in Kwai Chung. The officials toured the terminal by car to observe its operations for over an hour before heading to Hong Kong Government House for a luncheon.

On Tuesday, Xia inspected the Northern Metropolis’ key projects spanning industry, innovation, education, and people’s livelihoods, and was briefed on the project progress, as well as transport infrastructure plans for the new town.

His stops included the Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen New Development Area Community Liaison Centre, as well as the site of the Northern Metropolis University Town in the same area, Yau Pok Road estate -- a light public housing project in Yuen Long, the Microelectronics Centre at Yuen Long InnoPark, and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

Contact the writer at gangwen@chinadailyhk.com