Hong Kong’s pan-democrats are on the wrong track with express rail border checks row
Mike Rowse says instead of opposing what is a sensible travel plan likely to be welcomed by even Beijing sceptics in Hong Kong, the pro-democracy camp should address the incidents that make them fear for the rule of law
The pan-democrats are pledging to fight the idea tooth and nail on the grounds that it is a breach of the Basic Law, and will open the door to mainland officials exercising jurisdiction within the Hong Kong SAR, and so on. With great respect, I do not find any of the reasons offered very compelling. And I suspect many ordinary citizens of Hong Kong – including people who might be inclined to support the democratic cause in elections – feel the same.
Similar arrangements are in place at both ends of the Eurostar – you go through UK immigration in Paris, and French immigration in London. Does this offend the sovereignty of either country? Of course not.
Watch: Rimsky Yuen says joint immigration controls will conform to ‘one country, two systems’
The point is Hong Kong voters are very worldly and are familiar with these arrangements elsewhere. They know that such systems are not of themselves sinister; what matters is how they are operated. And the signs here are promising: the areas where mainland officials will be able to exercise their powers under mainland law will be clearly demarcated and secured. Attempting to exercise powers outside these boundaries would be clearly unlawful. Wandering into the premises accidentally would be impossible.
Six key questions on how dual jurisdiction will work at Hong Kong’s new rail terminus
