Lam rejects idea to limit power of China’s officers at joint checkpoint in Hong Kong, or defer launch for consultation
Meanwhile a Basic Law Committee member cites national security as reason to fully empower mainland authorities in zone
She also said she would not defer the launch of the project to allow time for more consultations.
Lam made the remarks as she concluded her four-day visit to Beijing, during which she met officials from China Railway. According to Lam, the company would be involved in setting up operational details with Hong Kong for the HK$84.4 billion rail link to Guangzhou.
Hong Kong leader inspects high-speed train and stresses need for mainland Chinese officials at city terminus
Last month the government announced the joint checkpoint plan in which national laws would be applied in a section of the West Kowloon terminus that would be leased to the mainland. The rail link is scheduled to open in the third quarter of next year.
Under the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the city cannot lease land in such a manner, so it plans to seek permission from the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top lawmaking body.
Despite fears from critics that the plan would set a bad precedent and compromise the “one country, two systems” principle, Lam dismissed ideas to limit the power of mainland officers to enforce laws only related to immigration, customs and quarantine in the terminus.
Lam also ruled out holding up the work to make way for more public consultation, but added that the government was willing to soothe concerns over the “co-location” arrangement.