Controversial plan will see mainland laws enforced on Hong Kong soil in the city’s high-speed rail terminus
It means that when the much-delayed 26km Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong express rail link starts operation in September this year, the travelling time from the city’s centre to Guangdong’s provincial capital will be reduced from more than two hours to about 50 minutes. The Hong Kong section cost HK$84.4 billion to build.
Despite the approval, opposition legislators argue that a series of issues surrounding the so called “co-location” arrangement, ranging from its constitutionality to security details, remain unresolved.
Here is what you need to know.
1. What does the law empower authorities to do?
The co-location law will grant Beijing and its authorities almost full jurisdiction in a designated port area “deemed as the mainland”.
The area is to take up one-quarter of the terminus, or three levels including the arrival and departure halls, as well as station platforms. Compartments of the trains will also be subject to the jurisdiction and laws of mainland China.
Offices from five mainland law enforcement units – immigration, customs, quarantine, border control and security – will be set up in the designated area.
But the tracks will stay within local purview to facilitate maintenance,as Hong Kong authorities will also exercise jurisdiction relating to the regulation and monitoring of railway safety.
2. Is the co-location arrangement constitutional?
Li Fei, then head of NPCSC’s Basic Law Committee, said the decision carried constitutional authority that “cannot be challenged”.
But the government did not state clearly whether the decision had a binding effect on Hong Kong.
3. Is the mainland port area considered mainland soil? Can foreigners entering the area still call their consulates in Hong Kong to request help?
Upon entering the port area, mainland laws including immigration and criminal laws shall apply.
