Vehicles from the HKSAR going to enter the Chinese mainland come through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on July 1, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

HONG KONG/ZHUHAI - The Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles program was officially launched on Saturday, marking a crucial step towards stronger connectivity and integrated development within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said Saturday the launch means that Hong Kong people can drive to the mainland for sightseeing, and visiting families and businesses freely, drawing people from both sides closer together.

Vehicles from the HKSAR going to enter the Chinese mainland come through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on July 1, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung (eighth left) poses for a photo with other guests during the launch ceremony of the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles program at AsiaWorld-Expo, in Hong Kong, on July 1, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

As of 10:00 am on Saturday, more than 40 Hong Kong vehicles had already traveled northward via the bridge

The program allows eligible Hong Kong private cars to travel between the SAR and South China's Guangdong province via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge without the need to obtain regular quotas.

READ MORE: Over 9,500 HK vehicles sign up for northbound travel program

Lam Sai-hung, secretary for transport and logistics of the HKSAR government, said at a launch ceremony that the program is an important measure for the integration of the GBA and has been very popular since it opened for application on June 1, with over 4,000 applications received as of late June.

As of 10:00 am on Saturday, more than 40 Hong Kong vehicles had already traveled northward via the bridge.