G.F. 326
6.
7.
CONFIDENTIAL # 3
- 3
but it was felt that the two spans could be used from
the start while only Phase I immigration and customs facilities would be constructed until traffic growth required further facilities. S(GD) expressed concern that we might be agreeing to another white elephant like the Meisha ferry terminal. He was also concerned that the Shenzhen authorities might perceive our
agreement to their proposal as giving in to their
pressure.
The meeting agreed that work on Phase II of the bridge should proceed along with Phase I as part of the same project.
Action: S for T/
PAS(S) OR
PAS(S)OR put down a marker that the full implications of the superhighway project needed to be carefully considered in due course. Planning for the highway
seemed to envisage a free flow of traffic across the
border. This had implications for e.g. the Frontier
Closed Area.
8.
(c) Strategic Planning
SA/HE said he perceived a need to talk in a more comprehensive and structured way to the Guangdong authorities about all aspects of planning in the Pearl River delta, to include road, rail, airports, ferry links etc. CS noted that it was important to dissuade Shenzhen from pursuing the idea of a joint airport with Hong Kong. He envisaged that talks might take
place at most twice a year, and would include all relevant experts. A start might be made by giving a
presentation on Hong Kong's planning to the Chinese
authorities. PA felt that it would be more
CONFIDENTIAL #