On the roads of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong vehicles bearing black Guangdong Z license plates are a common sight. However, under current cross-border license plate regulations between Guangdong and Hong Kong, such vehicles are restricted to driving within Guangdong Province. During this year's National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference sessions, Jiang Zaizhong, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, proposed a recommendation to allow vehicles with Guangdong-Z license plates nationwide. He emphasized that as the nation actively promotes the integration of Hong Kong with the mainland, further easing restrictions on vehicle access would provide tangible convenience for Hong Kong residents living and working on the mainland.
The Government Work Report explicitly states that Hong Kong and Macao will be supported in seizing opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while deepening exchanges and cooperation with the mainland. With the gradual commissioning of major infrastructure projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, and the upcoming opening of new border crossings like the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Port, travel between Hong Kong and the mainland will become increasingly convenient. This trend is expected to drive a growing demand among Hong Kong residents to drive into the mainland.
Currently, Guangdong-Hong Kong dual-license plates are primarily divided into two categories: the first is the Yue Z plate, designated for right-hand-drive vehicles entering the mainland from Hong Kong, which are only permitted to operate within Guangdong Province and Hong Kong; the second is the FV plate, designated for left-hand-drive vehicles entering Hong Kong from the mainland, which are legally permitted to operate in both regions. Many Hong Kong residents wish to drive to provinces beyond Guangdong for family vacations or business trips, yet their understanding of relevant regulations remains limited. Occasionally, they inadvertently drive outside permitted areas. If caught, they may face penalties including fines, demerit points, or even temporary vehicle impoundment. With inconsistent enforcement standards across regions, this situation easily leads to legal risks. In the event of an accident, exceeding the permitted driving area may also affect insurance claims, resulting in both financial and safety losses.
Commissioner Jiang Zaizhong pointed out that in practice, Guangdong Z-licensed vehicles traveling across provincial borders on expressways often face no substantive obstruction, creating a tacitly permitted passage. He believes that rather than maintaining the existing gray area, it would be better to establish clear institutional openness. This would provide a basis for lawful and compliant driving, preventing Hong Kong residents from bearing unnecessary risks due to unfamiliarity with regulations.
Mr. Chu Dingjian, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Mission Hills Group, also stated that as Hong Kong's economic ties with the mainland grow increasingly close, Hong Kong businesses are continuously expanding their operations within the mainland. License plates restricted to provincial use alone can no longer meet these demands. Drawing on his family's years of investment experience in mainland China, he pointed out that many enterprises operate branches across multiple cities nationwide. Allowing license plates to be used nationwide would significantly facilitate commercial activities and cultural exchanges.
Additionally, Wei Mingde, Chairman of Hong Kong's Derui Group and a member of the committee, also endorsed this proposal. He believes that allowing Guangdong Z license plates to operate nationwide would further enhance the integrated transportation network connecting the two regions. By combining air, high-speed rail, and highway systems, this measure would significantly improve the convenience of travel for Hong Kong residents within mainland China.
Commissioner Jiang Zaizhong further stated that fully opening up cross-border vehicle license plate access between Guangdong and Hong Kong not only aligns with the national direction of promoting integrated development between the two regions but also represents a concrete measure to implement equal treatment for Hong Kong residents on the mainland. Currently, the number of license plates issued in both regions is limited. With appropriate allocation and management, full opening is expected to impose no excessive burden on mainland traffic. Instead, it would encourage greater participation from all sectors in Hong Kong in national development, deepen cooperation between the two regions, and create a win-win situation for all.
