The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) yesterday gave the green light to co-location of immigration and customs facilities at the Western Corridor to be opened next July.

The nation's top legislature authorized the SAR government to manage the Hong Kong part of the Shenzhen Port according to Hong Kong law, as a restricted zone. Boundaries and land use in the restricted zone will be set by the State Council.

The 10th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed the decision with 143 votes yesterday.

Currently still under construction, the port is located at Dongjiaotou, Nanshan District in Shenzhen. The land reclamation project takes up 117.9 hectares. The port is connected to Hong Kong through a highway spanning 5,545 metres.

Numerous legal issues remain to be solved, as the co-location will be a first-time arrangement. The congress approved the decision mainly because the port area falls outside the administrative area of Hong Kong and the problem of application of Hong Kong laws there must be addressed.

"The authorization provided a legal basis for future operational matters, which is very important for the operation of the port once it is open," said Lu Yongxiang, NPCSC vice-chairman.

Mainland and SAR governments are yet to sign further agreements on jurisdiction and other legal issues.

Construction of the port is expected to be completed by the end of the year, while the port may be opened in mid-2007.