Frontier Closed Area

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The Frontier Closed Area (FTA) (Chinese: 邊境禁區) is a 28-km² area in Hong Kong along the border with mainland China. It was gazetted and established in June 1951, and expanded to its current limit in 1962. Ordinary people who are not residents within the area cannot enter the area, except with a permit or are going to cross the border.

It was set up to halt incoming of immigrants from mainland China, and to restrict illegal activities. It freezes development within the area. In 2005, the Government has proposed for the first time to reduce the size of the area. Due to the lack of human activities in the area, the FTA became a natural habitat for Hong Kong's animals and plants.

For those who are neither residents within the Closed Area, nor crossing the border, a Closed Area Permit is required. Applications for a Closed Area Permit outside the Closed Area can be made at the Sheung Shui Police Station in Fanling.

[edit] External link

• Land Use Planning for the Closed Area - HK government site, shows maps of the Closed Area.