Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) cuts the ribbon during the opening ceremony of the Shenzhen Bay Port (or Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor), a border crossing between south China's city Shenzhen and Hong Kong on July 1, 2007.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    HONG KONG, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao Sunday attended the opening ceremony of the Shenzhen Bay Port (or Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor), a border crossing between south China's city Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

    The president's car drove past the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and through a ribbon at the boundary line dividing Hong Kong and Shenzhen at around 11:45 a.m., signifying the commissioning of the bridge.

    Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Donald Tsang said at the opening ceremony that the port will promote personnel and cargo exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland. The port is a successful result of the cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and a result of central government's support and another successful symbol of the policy of "one country, two systems."

    State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said that the opening of the port will become a new starting point to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen and other regions of the mainland.

    After cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony, President Hu passed through the port from Hong Kong to Shenzhen as the first tourist.

    Hong Kong's immigration and customs facilities are co-located with those of the Chinese mainland at the port under the co-location arrangement, the first of its kind implemented at control points.

    The Shenzhen Bay Port will initially run for 17.5 hours a day, from 6:30 a.m. to midnight. The Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides will assess when to provide a 24-hour service after the port has been in operation for some time.

    Passengers can cross the boundary through the new crossing by taking cross-boundary coaches, franchised buses, green minibuses or taxis.

    It is expected that two-way daily traffic and passenger flows will be 29,800 vehicles and 30,800 passengers during the initial period of opening. The anticipated traffic and passenger flows will increase to some 60,300 vehicles and 61,300 passengers each day in 2016.