Legco Debate On Express Rail Enters Final Stage

Debate over the controversial bill for the West Kowloon express rail station entered the final stages of the Legco process on Thursday afternoon, with lawmakers making their last speeches on the subject.

Lawmakers were expected to vote on the bill in the evening, and looked likely to approve the government's plan to lease out some areas of the station to the mainland.

Five opposition lawmakers, who were kicked out of the chamber on Wednesday after chaotic scenes, were barred from having any further part in the debate.

Legco president Andrew Leung had decided that none of the five would be allowed to return to the meeting.

Lawmakers Au Nok-hin and Andrew Wan, who are among those ejected, tried to enter the chamber on Thursday but were told by security guards that Leung had ordered that they should not be let in.

But Au and Wan said the Legco president had misinterpreted the rules.

If passed, the bill will allow mainland officers to enforce mainland laws in a designated area of the high-speed rail terminus. The opposition says this will breach the Basic law, but the government denies this and says it is the most convenient arrangement for passengers.

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