China’s top legislative body decreed Wednesday that Chinese officials could enforce mainland law in part of a new railway station in Hong Kong, despite protests that this would erode the city’s autonomy. A high-speed railway linking Hong Kong to the sprawling southern mainland cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou is due to open next year. Hong Kong supporters of the rail project say the joint immigration checkpoint will be no different to arrangements overseas such as at the Channel Tunnel. But pro-democracy politicians in Hong Kong expressed dismay. “This is the first time that the NPCSC spoke out so nakedly to affirm its supreme power over Hong Kong,” said Civic Party chairman Alan Leong.

Source: Hindustan Times December 27, 2017 17:15 UTC