Unscheduled departure: China's legal reach extends to Hong Kong rail station

Hong Kong was handed back from British to Chinese rule in 1997 with constitutional guarantees it would continue to enjoy rights and freedoms not granted in mainland China, including an independent legal system. Chinese and Hong Kong officials argue the so-called "co-location" arrangement, including a joint immigration checkpoint, is necessary for passengers' convenience, shrinking rail travel times to mainland cities. Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials shook hands inside the new station in West Kowloon district on Monday night to mark the new arrangement, which will mean that anyone who commits a crime in the "mainland port area" or onboard trains will be subject to mainland laws, that could include the death penalty for serious crimes.

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