The Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Bill was published in the Government Gazette today.

The bill turns the central authorities’ recent formal authorisation for Hong Kong to exercise jurisdiction over the "Huangang Port Area and Related Extended Areas" (HKPA) into Hong Kong law, and provides the legal basis for running a joint checkpoint at the redeveloped port.

It will be introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) for first and second readings tomorrow.

On July 8, the State Council issued an Official Reply in relation to the commissioning of the HKPA, stipulating its co-ordinates and extent.

The reply also spelled out that the HKPA is to be commissioned from 00.00 hours on July 31, and will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with its laws.

As to the HKPA's official opening date, the reply said this will be agreed upon by the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said it is obliged to complete relevant local legislative work before July 31, in order to ensure that central authorities' authorisation is duly implemented.

The main provisions of the bill include: declaring certain Chinese Mainland areas of the Huanggang Port as the HKPA; providing for the application of Hong Kong laws in the HKPA and for the jurisdiction of Hong Kong courts in this connection; extending the territorial scope of certain pre-existing rights and obligations to include the HKPA; and making provisions to assist in the construction of certain future documents and court orders.

At present, the superstructure of the Huanggang Port Building is substantially completed. Interior fitting-out works and the installation of required facilities are underway.

The Government emphasised that the early passage of the bill will facilitate preparatory work to ensure that the port is ready for operation.

It added that it will fully co-operate with LegCo to strive for early completion of the local legislative work, and work closely with the Guangdong and Shenzhen authorities to take forward all preparatory work at full steam.