The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes the Legislative Council's passage of the draft of the Lok Ma Chau Port Port Area Ordinance.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomed the passage of the draft of the Lok Ma Chau Port Port Area Ordinance by the Legislative Council on the 17th. The smooth passage of the draft is an important milestone in implementing the relevant authorization from the central government, providing a legal basis for the implementation of the "One Port, Two Inspections" arrangement at the reconstructed Lok Ma Chau Port, and marks a crucial step forward in the preparations for the opening of the port. The State Council approved the matters related to the establishment of the Lok Ma Chau Port Port Area and the related extension area on July 8, specifying the specific coordinates and area of the port area and agreeing that the port area will be put into operation from 0:00 on July 31, 2026, and shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In order to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the authorization from the central government, the SAR government is responsible for completing the relevant local legislative work before July 31. It is reported that the "Lok Ma Chau Port Port Area Ordinance" will be published in the gazette on July 20 and come into effect on July 31, providing a legal basis for the SAR to establish the port area at Lok Ma Chau Port and to exercise jurisdiction in the port area in accordance with the law.