CONFIDEN TIAL 機密
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China's dependence on Hong Kong. At present, Hong Kong is important to China in two aspects; as a source of foreign exchange earnings and as a convenient place where important supporting services (like container port, airport, and financial and related services) can be drawn
With an economically advanced SSEZ, China might be able to reduce its degree of dependence on Hong Kong.
on.
38.
Further,
Even the most optimistic of the Chinese
officials must realise, however, that this objective could not be realised within a matter of a few years. developments in the SSEZ in the past five years are not too encouraging and have in fact demonstrated that Hong Kong could not easily be replaced. For example, as indicated in paragraphs 19 to 24 above, the SSEZ has not been successful in terms of earning foreign exchange. Indeed, its principal source of foreign exchange earnings appears to have been tourist expenditure by Hong Kong residents.
39.
The SSEZ itself has to rely on the infrastructural facilities available in Hong Kong. The SSEZ's external links in respect of both passenger and freight traffic rely on the services provided by Hong Kong's international airport, container port and other port facilities.
40.
The SSEZ authorities have long term plans to reduce its dependence on Hong Kong in respect of external transport links. These include plans for developing deep-water ports in Mawan (Deep Bay) and in Yantian (Dapeng Bay), and a full-size international airport (when fully developed) in Xixiang, for which a feasibility study
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