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The Government today (February 6) published draft legislation to prepare for the implementation of a new arrangement at the Shenzhen Bay Port to improve passenger and cargo flows between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
The Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area Bill, gazetted today and to be introduced into the Legislative Council tomorrow (February 7), seeks to underpin the arrangement whereby Hong Kong's customs and immigration facilities will be co-located with those of the Mainland at the Shenzhen Bay Port in Shekou (the co-location arrangement).
The Bill will provide a legal basis for the setting up of a Hong Kong Port Area (HKPA) inside the Shenzhen Bay Port.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has authorised the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to exercise jurisdiction over the HKPA according to the laws of HKSAR from the day on which the Shenzhen Bay Port commences operation.
The State Council has also stipulated in an Official Reply the area and land use period of the HKPA.
A Government spokesman said the co-location arrangement, the first of its kind to be implemented at control points, would provide convenient and efficient services to passengers and vehicles in a better environment.
"It will facilitate the flow of people and cargoes across the boundary, and enhance the status of Hong Kong as a regional business, trade and logistics hub," he said.
The spokesman added that the new infrastructural project would alleviate pressure on vehicular boundary crossings at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok.
"Specifically, with co-location, coach passengers will only have to get on and off once instead of twice in going through clearance procedures of the two sides, thereby shortening the clearance time by about five to 10 minutes for each traveller," he said.
It was expected that the two-way daily traffic and passenger flows would be 29,800 vehicles and 30,800 passengers respectively during the initial period of opening. The anticipated traffic and passenger flows will increase to some 60,300 vehicles and 61,300 passengers each day in 2016.
The Bill provides for, among other things, the application of the laws of Hong Kong to the HKPA and the court's jurisdiction in this connection.
The Bill also extends the territorial limits of certain pre-existing rights and obligations arising from the exercise or performance of statutory powers to include the HKPA. This is to ensure effective law enforcement and continuity of certain essential services in the HKPA. Hence, a pre-existing warrant of arrest can be enforced in the HKPA; a qualified doctor or other recognised professionals will be qualified to practise in the HKPA; and a driving licence issued by the Transport Department will cover the HKPA.
The spokesman said that Hong Kong would administer the HKPA as a closed area according to Hong Kong laws, as in the case of other land boundary control points.
The new control point at the Shenzhen Bay Port, which is to be linked to Ngau Hom Shek in the Northwest New Territories through the Shenzhen Bay Bridge (also known as the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor), will be the fourth vehicular boundary crossing between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Hong Kong and Shenzhen are making the best efforts to commission the Shenzhen Bay Port in mid-2007.
Ends/Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:19
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