BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Friday heard an explanation of a draft decision on a one-stop boundary control cooperation arrangement in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
The draft decision was submitted for deliberation to the bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.
According to the explanation, a port will be established at the railway station in West Kowloon in Hong Kong, which is part of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL).
The Hong Kong section of the XRL is scheduled to open in the third quarter of next year, the explanation said.
It states that the mainland and the HKSAR will, in accordance with their respective laws, carry out exit and entry supervision at the port, including immigration inspection, customs regulation, and inspection and quarantine measures on departure and arrival for people traveling between the mainland and Hong Kong, as well as their personal belongings and luggage.
The cooperation arrangement was signed between the mainland and the HKSAR last month, marking the first in a three-step process by the two sides.
According to the explanation, the second step is for the NPC Standing Committee to deliberate and approve the arrangement, after which the two sides can begin the local legislative process to implement the arrangement.
The explanation said establishing one-stop boundary control is fully consistent with the "one country, two systems" policy and the Constitution.
It also complies with the Basic Law of HKSAR as it will not change the administrative plan of Hong Kong and will not impair the rights and freedom of Hong Kong residents.
The explanation notes that the one-stop boundary control arrangement at West Kowloon station is instrumental in unleashing transportation, social and economic benefits and conducive to personnel exchanges and economic and trade activities between the mainland and Hong Kong.
