The South China Morning Post reported on August 9, 2017, that Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on August 9, 2017, rejected suggestions to limit the power of mainland officers operating under the controversial joint checkpoint plans for the cross-border express rail link terminus. She also said she would not defer the launch of the project to allow time for more consultations.Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor made the remarks after concluding a four-day visit to Beijing, during which she met officials from China Railway, which would be involved in setting up operational details with Hong Kong for the HK$ 84.4 billion rail link to Guangzhou. Last month the Hongkong Government announced the joint checkpoint plan in which national laws would be applied in a section of the West Kowloon terminus that would be leased to the mainland. The rail link is scheduled to open in the third quarter of next year. Under the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the city cannot lease land in such a manner, so it plans to seek permission from the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top lawmaking body.