There was a celebratory mood on the mainland China side of the Shenzen-Hong Kong border on Sunday 8 January as China opened up following three years of pandemic restrictions.

The reopening is one of the last steps in the end of China's Zero Covid strategy and has seen large numbers of people rushing to cross into the mainland from Hong Kong, as well as from other parts of the world.

China's borders have been all but shut since the start of the pandemic three years ago.

The requirement for incoming travellers to quarantine has also been ended.

The fillmer captured the scene as he walked around near the border on this historic day.

He said: "It was a very happy atmosphere as passengers began to make their way through the checkpoint to cross into Hong Kong. (There were) Lots of government messaging saying 'we are family'. Families could also be seen arriving from Hong Kong into Shenzhen with suitcases.

Businesses opposite the checkpoint had were previously closed opened up and were welcoming Hong Kongers with signs pointing to where they could buy SIM cards for their phones.

People were also packing up boxes and sending their suitcases ahead of them as they made plans for the rest of the Spring Festival season (sometimes called Chinese New Year).

"It was a heartwarming sight" said the filmer, a British man living in Shenzen.

While most Covid travel restrictions have now ended, the filmer noted that one remained: PCR test results from the prior 48 hours were still required and he saw one American man turned away for a lack of one.

China - HK border opens