The Chief Executive said it was possible to have a joint checkpoint facility under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. Photo: RTHK
Chief Executive CY Leung has rejected calls for two separate immigration checkpoints for the Express Rail Link to Guangzhou, instead of a joint one in the West Kowloon terminus.
Lawmakers have expressed concern that a joint checkpoint with mainland immigration officers stationed in Hong Kong would undermine the SAR's autonomy and violate the Basic Law.
Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Leung reiterated his confidence in a joint facility.
He pointed out that most mainland cities with high-speed railway stations don't have immigration or other border facilities. The Chief Executive said the government is confident of implementing a joint immigration checkpoint that can meet the "One Country, Two System" principle.
New People's Party lawmaker Michael Tien, who also chairs the Legislative Council’s transport panel, says Leung’s opinion is immaterial to whether the plan is viable.
"It’s not up to the Chief Executive or anyone to decide," he said. "But when it comes to legal issues, we don’t decide because in Hong Kong we have a rule of law. The ultimate decision is in the courts."
Tien said if legal issues aren’t resolved before 2018, he'll support separate clearance systems as an interim measure. But he said ultimately, he hopes they can be housed under one roof.
Pan-democratic lawmakers say it's a clear violation of the Basic Law to allow mainland immigration officials to carry out mainland laws in Hong Kong. And they are alarmed at a suggestion by Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen that the matter can be resolved by listing the relevant mainland law in a Basic Law annex.
Democratic Party lawmaker Wu Chi-wai remained suspicious of the Chief Executive’s insistence on a joint clearance system. He said he thinks the government’s true goal may be to open a legal back door to introduce more mainland laws to the city.
The government has repeatedly insisted that a joint clearance system is necessary to ensure a fast and convenient service for passengers. It hasn't yet come to any final decision on how to legally allow for this.
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Last updated: 2015-12-15 HKT 11:44
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1229728-20151215.htm
