HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Legislative Council finally passed the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link co-location bill after months of deliberation on late Thursday.

The six-hour third reading of the bill was adopted with 40 votes to 20 - with one abstention.

The co-location arrangement, which will be implemented at the West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong, allows passengers to complete Hong Kong and mainland clearance procedures in one go.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said it was a "big leap" toward the final objective – commencing operations of the Hong Kong section of XRL in September

Welcoming passage of the bill, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said it was a "big leap" toward the final objective – commencing operations of the Hong Kong section of XRL in September.

Passage of the bill also provides a legal basis to allow the Hong Kong section of the high-speed railway to maximize its transport, economic and social benefits, added Lam.

The CE said she appreciated legislators' support, as well as the backing of the central government and Hong Kong society.

Responding to legislators' arguments during deliberation on Thursday, Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan said the advantages of the high-speed rail link and its contribution to Hong Kong are a "hard fact".