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The Legislative Council today (April 25) passed a new law underpinning arrangements for Hong Kong's customs and immigration facilities to be co-located with those of the Mainland at the Shenzhen Bay Port, Shekou.
The Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area Ordinance will provide a legal basis for the setting up of a Hong Kong Port Area (HKPA) inside the Shenzhen Bay Port.
The ordinance 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 ordinance 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.
A pre-existing warrant of arrest can be enforced in the HKPA; a qualified doctor or other recognised professionals will be qualified to carry out duties in the HKPA; and a driving licence issued by the Transport Department will cover the HKPA.
"After the ordinance is published in the Gazette on Friday (April 27), the Government will proceed with the introduction of necessary subsidiary legislation to support the operation of the HKPA, for example, granting a general permission under the Public Order Ordinance to allow people of certain categories such as cross-boundary drivers and passengers to enter or leave the HKPA, which will be a closed area," a government spokesman said.
"The ordinance will leave pre-existing private contracts untouched. However, all the insurance companies that provide motor vehicle third party risks insurance and employees' compensation insurance, the two classes of mandatory insurance relevant to the operation of the HKPA, have indicated their willingness to participate in a market agreement."
"The market agreement means that policyholders will be conferred the benefits of having the protection under their existing insurance policies extended to include the HKPA at no extra premium," the spokesman said.
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 within this year.
Ends/Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:49
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