CONFIDENTIAL # #
11.
- 5-
The arguments put forward for siting
the airport in China near to the border with
Hong Kong are :
(a)
(b)
it would cost less
(comment : there is no sound basis
for this conclusion but it could
well be true);
a cooperative project of such a size
(which might include China having a
long-term management contract with the
HKG or with a Hong Kong consortium
and possibly a lease extending beyond
1997) would be a major boost to
confidence in Hong Kong's future.
Its advocates lay particular stress on the second
argument and favour an approach to China now as
politically the most appropriate time.
:
12.
The main arguments against, which
have the support of a large majority of Executive
^
Council Members, are :
(a)
Hong Kong's main means of access
G.F. 326
to the outside world would be beyond
its own frontiers. In consequence,
Hong Kong would be vulnerable to
pressures from China as to its use.
These could vary from preventing the
use of the airport by certain airlines
(e.g. China Airlines, South African
Airways) to preventing the movement
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