RESTRICTED
OF THE
A. THE SPOKESMAN OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PRC HAD MADE A STATEMENT ON THE CLEARANCE OF THE WALLED CITY WHICH EXPRESSES THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S FULL UNDERSTANDING HKG'S DECISION. ARRANGEMENTS REGARDING THE HANDLING OF REPRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE HKG.
6.Q. WHO WILL OWN THE LAND OCCUPIED BY THE WALLED CITY UP TO 1997?
A. WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PARK THE LAND WILL BE PUBLIC PROPERTY
BEFORE AND AFTER 1997.
7.Q. UNDER WHAT AUTHORITY IS THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSING TO RESUME THE LAND? CAN A RESIDENT CONTEST THE RESUMPTION? UNDER WHAT STATUTORY RIGHT IS HE TO DO IT?
A. THE CLEARANCE IS BEING HANDLED UNDER THE SAME AUTHORITY AS FOR OTHER CLEARANCES IN HONG KONG.
8.Q. WHY IS THE RESUMED LAND NOT BEING PLANNED FOR OTHER USES, FOR EXAMPLE FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT? IS IT BECAUSE OF FEAR OF CHINESE SENSITIVITIES?
PERHAPS A. WE BELIEVE THAT THE MOST SUITABLE END USE IS A PARK, WITH SOME PARK RELATED COMMUNITY FACILITIES. THE ADJACENT CARPENTER ROAD CLEARED LAND IS BEING DEVELOPED INTO A PARK. THE WALLED CITY AREA LIES DIRECTLY UNDER THE FLIGHT PATH OF THE FINAL APPROACH TO KAI TAK. IT IS NOT DESIRABLE TO HAVE HIGH DENSITY HOUSING OR OTHER BUILDINGS UNDER THE FLIGHT PATH.
9.Q. ARE 1IS LIVING WITHIN THE WALLED CITY ARRESTED AND REPATRIATED AT PRESENT? WILL THEY BE ARRESTED IF THEY REMAIN INSIDE AND CLAIM THAT THEY ARE ON CHINESE SOIL?
A. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHEREVER FOUND ARE AND WILL BE DEALT WITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH ESTABLISHED POLICY.
10.Q. HAVE THE LOCAL KAI FONG ASSOCIATION AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE BODIES OF THE RESIDENTS BEEN CONSULTED?
A. NO. BUT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DISCUSS ALL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CLEARANCE WITH THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WHICH WILL ITSELF INCLUDE PERSONS WITH LOCAL (1.E. WALLED CITY) CONNECTIONS.
11.Q. WHAT DEGREE OF RESISTANCE TO THE RESUMPTION DO YOU EXPECT
FROM THE RESIDENTS?
A. WE EXPECT THE GREAT MAJORITY TO WELCOME THE IMPROVEMENT TO THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS. ALL WILL BE REHOUSED AND COMPENSATED AS APPROPRIATE. NONE WILL BE RENDERED HOMELESS BY THE CLEARANCE.
12.Q. WHY IS THE CLEARANCE BEING UNDERTAKEN NOW?
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RESTRICTED
JA. THE