CONFIDENTIAL
7.
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
an airport at Chek Lap Kok. No decisions are required. Nor should the discussions be seen as binding on either side.
(If the Chinese refer to problems over overflying their territory.) We hope that the Chek Lap Kok scheme can be devised in such a way that there is no significant change in the use of air space outside Hong Kong from the present situation with Kai Tak.
We on our side would find it useful to know if plans for an airport in the Shenzhen area have progressed any further and, if so, how. We do not wish our planning to conflict with what has been done on the Chinese side. *
(If the Chinese mention reports of a possible site in Deep Bay.) The Hong Kong Government have looked at a large number of possible sites. They are looking again at the possibility of a site on the Hong Kong side of Deep Bay in connection with development plans for the whole of the North West New Territories. This is only a preliminary survey to see whether the development of the North West New Territories alters the economic arguments about where to put a replacement airport. The full-scale feasibility study of the Chek Lap Kok site is going ahead and remains, at present, the main option being considered.
If you agree with this procedure, I would be grateful if you would authorise Peking by teleletter to speak accordingly. We will then chip in with additional updating on the Deep Bay site if that seems necessary.
сс
RJT McLaren Esq Far Eastern Department
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M W Atkinson Esq MBE Peking
(D C Wilson)
CONFIDENTIAL
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G.F. 326