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Hong Kong set to resume transfer of dead for burial in mainland China ‘this week’, with authorities carrying out trial run at border crossing

  • Heung Yuen Wai border control point will be used to start clearing backlog of bodies, say transport sector representatives
  • At least 200 bodies awaiting burial on the mainland are stuck in Hong Kong, at coffin homes and public mortuaries, Post reported earlier

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The Heung Yuen Wai control point will be used for the transfer of bodies. Photo: SCMP
Emily Hung
Hong Kong is set to resume the transfer of bodies awaiting burial in mainland China via a land crossing later this week, clearing at least 200 stuck in the city for more than a year because of the Covid-related closure of the city’s only border checkpoint for hearses.
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The Heung Yuen Wai control point would be used to start clearing the backlog “within this week” if a trial run on Tuesday initiated by Shenzhen authorities went smoothly, transport sector representatives told the Post.

The checkpoint will replace the Sha Tau Kok border crossing previously used.

The [Shenzhen] immigration, customs and relevant authorities will run the whole procedure,” said Stanley Tandon Lal Chaing, chairman of the Lok Ma Chau-Hong Kong Freight Association.

“The personnel are very familiar with [the clearance of bodies], it’s just that they need to get themselves familiar with the Heung Yuen Wai control point.”

There is a backlog of bodies awaiting transfer for burial. Photo: Felix Wong
There is a backlog of bodies awaiting transfer for burial. Photo: Felix Wong

Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming confirmed the news, as the Shenzhen customs told him about the arrangements on Tuesday.

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