Hong Kong justice minister vows to hear public opinion on allowing mainland law officials at high-speed rail link
But he rules out pro-democracy lawmakers’ demands for formal public consultation
But he effectively ruled out opposition lawmakers’ demands for a formal public consultation, saying it would be “no different”.
The pan-democrats remained unimpressed, saying the government was simply worried that such an exercise would backfire.
Under the arrangement, mainland officers will enjoy almost full jurisdiction over a quarter of the West Kowloon terminus leased to them.
Dismissing fears that it would undermine “one country, two systems”, Yuen said: “The plan is for realising the rail link’s economic benefit ... and the NPCSC’s decision would also offer a sound legal foundation for it.”
The Democratic Party’s James To Kun-sun asked: “Why are you so reluctant to conduct a public consultation? ... The government should give residents a few months to express their views.”
To added that Hongkongers should be allowed to choose from different options for immigration arrangements.
“We will carefully listen to the opinions in society, including Legco,” Yuen replied. “We believe that the effect of this would be no different from conducting a public consultation ... I believe you wouldn’t say it’s the only channel to collect public opinion.”
The Civic Party’s Dennis Kwok, representing the legal sector, was concerned whether a Hong Kong resident arrested in the leased area would be protected by local laws.
Yuen would only say: “Authorities will set up a working group to coordinate matters such as the management of public order.”
During the marathon Legco meeting to examine funding for the rail link in 2009, then transport minister Eva Cheng Yu-wah had pledged to look into different options, such as carrying out immigration clearance on trains.
The Democratic Party’s Andrew Wan Siu-kin asked if Cheng or any current official had lied.
“Let’s be fairer to Cheng and to society: times have changed. Even Cheng had mentioned co-location and different options at that time ... and we studied them,” Yuen replied.
The Liberal Party’s transport representative, Frankie Yick Chi-ming, said his party had interviewed 1,071 residents recently, and 61.6 per cent agreed with the co-location arrangement.