One station, two systems: how joint checkpoint will work for Hong Kong-mainland China high-speed rail line
Authorities release long-awaited details of floor plan for terminal and steps passengers will go through, amid concerns about mainland laws being enforced at the station
To catch a train from the future station at West Kowloon for the new high-speed railway to the mainland, travellers will have to pass through two port areas straddling four levels of the building on route to the platform.
Under the arrangements for joint immigration and customs facilities with mainland authorities that were announced on Tuesday, travellers will have to abide by mainland laws within a designated 105,000 square metre area to be leased to the mainland for the creation of a port inside the terminal, where passengers can expect to see mainland police officers armed with batons on patrol.
Offices for five mainland law enforcement units will be set up in the port area, which will be manned by mainland officers. Those five departments are immigration, customs, quarantine, border control and security.
From the ground-floor concourse, northbound travellers will go down one floor to a ticket hall on level B1. Valid identification will be needed to purchase a ticket and get through the gate, according to plans unveiled by Hong Kong officials on Tuesday.
Travellers will go down two more levels to the B3 departure area, where Hong Kong and the mainland’s border clearance facilities will be located.