Chinese immigration officers to exercise full powers at Hong Kong’s West Kowloon terminus
Lawmaker Michael Tien reveals that mainland laws will also be enforced on Hong Kong section of express rail link in a move expected to prompt pan-democrat fury
Mainland officers will be allowed to fully enforce national laws in the immigration hall and on express trains in Hong Kong under a consensus reached on the joint checkpoint arrangement for the high-speed rail link to Guangzhou, the Post has learned.
Citing reliable sources, lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun told the Post that Beijing and Hong Kong had reached a consensus that a mainland restricted zone serving as part of a joint immigration checkpoint would be created at the West Kowloon terminus of the express rail link.
The restricted zone, however, would not be limited only to the two-floor mainland immigration office in the basement of the terminus, but also extend to cover the rail tracks from the Hong Kong border to the terminus.
“It means that for arrivals, from the point where the high-speed train is on Hong Kong soil up to the mainland immigration office at the West Kowloon terminus, those who commit crimes during the journey will still be subject to mainland laws. The same also applies to departing trains,” he said.