Beijing stress authority over Hong Kong; One country, two systems

Beijing, Dec 28: A high-speed railway linking Hong Kong to the sprawling southern mainland cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou is due to open next year.

But the proposal for a joint immigration checkpoint, which would see mainland police and other officials stationed at the new terminus in the heart of Hong Kong, has intensified fears among some that Beijing is tightening its grip on the self-governing city.

China's top legislative body decreed Wednesday that Chinese officials could enforce mainland law in part of a new railway station in Hong Kong, despite protests that this would erode the city's autonomy.

"The NPCSC session said the arrangements are in line with the principle of 'One country, two systems', the constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law," state news agency Xinhua reported, referring to Hong Kong's post-1997 mini-constitution.