Zhou Qing, a spokesman for the construction office of the Futian Checkpoint, told the newspaper that the 182-million-yuan project, started in December 2004, is in its final stage of construction and will be handed over to the port office in December.

However, Ye denied reports in Chinese newspapers that the new checkpoint will replace the Huanggang Checkpoint and become the only checkpoint in that area.

“A 24-hour cross-border service will be continuously available at the Huanggang Checkpoint, while passengers will have an extra choice of a more efficient one.”

He said the Futian Checkpoint will close at night when the daily metro and train service stops operation in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

With trade growing between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, over 100,000 passengers and 25,000 vehicles pass through Huanggang on weekdays.