Aout 6.42 million people are expected to pass through the checkpoints between Shenzhen and Hong Kong from Feb. 14 to 27, Shenzhen border police said Thursday.

The number is 7 percent higher than the same period last year. The border police will deploy 5,000 personnel to ensure that people pass through the checkpoints safely and smoothly.

Feb. 20, the third day of the first lunar month, is expected to see the largest number of people crossing the checkpoints, with the figure reaching 538,000.

If the flow of people and vehicles through the Luohu and Huanggang checkpoints becomes unmanageable, police from other checkpoints will be transferred to the two checkpoints.

Checkpoints authorities in Shenzhen will work closely with Hong Kong to coordinate the movement of people.

More than 90 do-it-yourself (DIY) customs and immigration clearance passages for Hong Kong and Macao passengers and six DIY clearance passages for mainland travelers have been tested for smooth operation during the festival.

(Shenzhen Daily February 17, 2007)