rthk.hk - Express NewsToday, 2:22 PM
National People's Congress standing committee member Rita Fan. RTHK: file photo
National People's Congress standing committee member Rita Fan has dismissed fears that Beijing wants to increase its control over Hong Kong by stationing mainland immigration officials at the future Express Rail terminus in West Kowloon.
Critics say that allowing mainland law enforcement agencies to perform their duties on Hong Kong soil would undermine the SAR's autonomy and violate the constitution.
The government said last week that mainland laws may be annexed into the Basic Law to allow for such an arrangement, sparking concerns that this could become a back door for the Central government to transplant other laws to the city.
But Mrs Fan told reporters that Beijing isn't using this matter as an excuse to clamp down on the territory, and added that there's no need for such concerns even before the government's made any final decision on the matter.
However, she said having a joint customs clearance facility here would be good for the rail link to Guangzhou as it would be more convenient.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1229394-20151213.htm
