China officials to enforce mainland laws in Hong Kong train station

Hong Kong

HONG Kong announced on Tuesday a controversial plan to allow mainland officials to enforce Chinese laws inside a Hong Kong train station, an immigration set-up critics say will encroach on the city's autonomy and endanger existing freedoms.

Hong Kong's Basic Law mini-constitution states that with a few exceptions Chinese national laws are not applicable in the city and no Chinese departments can interfere in its affairs.

But the local government said that Mainland Port Areas inside the train station, set to open in autumn next year, will be legally regarded as being outside the territorial bo…