2015-12-06 HKT 12:21
Michael Tien says authorities should consider having border clearance facilities in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Photo: RTHK
New People’s Party lawmaker Michael Tien has called on the government to consider a "plan B" and not insist on a single border clearance arrangement for the Express Rail Link to Guangzhou.
Concerns have been raised that allowing mainland immigration officers to work in Hong Kong would contravene the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law.
Tien said another option would be to have border clearance facilities in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen. He said this proposal wouldn't defeat the entire purpose of having a high-speed rail link.
He said 65 percent of the link's projected traffic is between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and setting up a temporary border controls in Shenzhen would enable these passengers to enjoy a service that is "absolutely equivalent" to a single border clearance at the West Kowloon terminus.
The Chief Executive, CY Leung, however, said the government still prefers a single-border clearance as it would be the most convenient option for passengers.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1227933-20151206.htm
