CONFIDENTIAL
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3..
The increase in water supplied from China, together with supplies from High Island, will enable demand to be met up to 1983. As regards meeting the longer-term demand for water, the Guangdong Authorities have been notified of incremental requirements from 1983 to a total of 620 million cubic metres per annum by 1995.
4.
During, the recent visit to Hong Kong by the Delegation from the Bureau of Water Conservancy and Electric Power, Guangdong Province, Mr. Feng Zhiyun, leader of the delegation and Director of the Bureau, confirmed in casual conversation with the Director of Public Works that alternative methods of meeting our water requirements for the future were being studied. He was also said to have indicated that we would never need to operate the Lok On Pai Desalter nor apply water supply restrictions in future. An official response from the Guangdong Authorities is not expected until around September, 1979.
5.
It is envisaged that more negotiations with the Guangdong Authorities will take place towards the end of 1979 leading hopefully to yet another new water supply Agreement with additional incremental supplies from 1983 onwards. Meanwhile, the second stage of the Tolo Harbour investigations has been deferred.
CONFIDENTIAL
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