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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

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Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan (left), Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen and Secretary for Security John Lee at the Legislative Council on Thursday. Photo: Dickson Lee
Justice minister Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung on Thursday promised to listen to public opinion on allowing mainland law to be enforced on the Hong Kong side of the long anticipated high-speed rail link to Guangzhou.

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.

Speaking at the Legislative Council, for the first time since the “co-location” arrangement was announced a week ago, Yuen also failed to convince his critics that the plan would be implemented without setting a bad precedent and compromising the “one country, two systems” principle.
Yuen speaking at the Legislative Council on Thursday. Photo: Dickson Lee
Yuen speaking at the Legislative Council on Thursday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Under the arrangement, mainland officers will enjoy almost full jurisdiction over a quarter of the West Kowloon terminus leased to them.

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