The opening of Shenzhen Bay Port marks the success of the 'One country, two systems' policy, and the implementation of immigration co-location realises the policy's flexibility and creativity, Chief Executive Donald Tsang says.

Speaking at the Shenzhen Bay Port and Shenzhen Bay Bridge opening ceremony today, Mr Tsang said the facilities are the fruitful results of close co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in the past five years.

Bridging the gap: President Hu's car drives past the Shenzhen Bay Bridge (left). Chief Executive Donald Tsang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony (centre), while President Hu chats with an Immigration Department staff member at the passenger terminal building.

The new co-location arrangements facilitate a faster and more efficient way to cross the border, which can save around five to 10 minutes for each passenger, Mr Tsang said.

The bridge allows a traffic load two times the present cross-border channels' capacity, greatly facilitating vehicle and passenger flow, said Mr Tsang.

State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan said at the ceremony that the port and bridge will greatly improve the cross-boundary traffic between Hong Kong, Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta Region, strengthening Hong Kong's ties with the Mainland.