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CONFIDENTIAL
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1980. He hoped there would be a fixed crossing to Lantau by 1984. This would be a major development area. He then outlined to Mr Wang and his colleagues on a map of Hong Kong the major developments which were being undertaken and planned. Land for building would be produced at a rate of over 1,000 hectares per year up to 1982/3. Major developments in Northern Lant au could proceed after the fixed crossing was completed. Engineers were now looking at ways to fill in the development gap between 1982/3 and 1984. There were possibilities of further development areas in Junk Bay and on the north-east side of Shatin inlet. However, northern Lantau offered far greater possibilities than anywhere else for two reasons: a) the tiny population meant there were no social problems; b) the waters immediately to the north-west of Lantau were sufficiently deep for industries needing access to the sea.
4.
The waters to the east of Chek Lap Kok were shallow and easy to reclaim. This was the only major area remaining in Hong Kong for the creation of new land. The way this was done would have a great influence on Hong Kong's future. If a decision were taken in 1980 to have a bridge/tunnel to Lantau he expected that other developments would start at the same time. There was no indication of technical or financial difficulties. However, the engineers still had to decide whether a bridge or a tunnel would be the best or cheapest solution. Mr Li asked whether there were fewer technical difficulties with a tunnel. The Governor said that the rocks were very broken and the water deep in the area. Mr Li observed that there were also problems with a bridge. He understood that a Japanese team had concluded that a tunnel would be easier. The Governor said that a crucial factor was the consistency of the rock. Mr Li thought the rocks in Hong Kong were not very hard and were therefore easier to tunnel through. The Governor replied that in fact the easiest tunnels were those through hard rock. Mr Wang commented that in these matters he and his colleagues were not experts ("wai-hang"). The Governor observed that future developments and living standards in Hong Kong depended on a good provision of land. Much else was important but this was essential.
5.
In reply to questions from the Governor, Mr Wang said that coming as he did from a coastal area of south China he adjusted easily to Hong Kong. However, he only spoke Cantonese not Hakka. Mr Li said that he spoke Hakka. The Governor said he had visited Mei Hsien (in north-east Kwangtung: Mr Li interjected that he was from Mei Hsien) and that he had walked to Mei Hsien from Changchow (in Fukien), covering between 20 and 25 miles a day. Each day the local language was different. Hakka was spoken in the hills behind Changchow. He had been Consul in Foochow during the war. Mr Li said there had been great changes in Foochow since Liberation, such as the widening of the boulevard and a new bridge spanning the river.
CONFIDENTIAL
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