8
nordo
1:
Q6.
TVB. Sir Piers, I want to ask if, after the Chinese side understands the whole project, they still say no, what will the Hong Kong government do?
A.
That is a hypothetical question. I can't answer that. As I say,
we are quite convinced in our own minds, and we know we have a good case for saying, that Hong Kong needs this airport. So it is not really...
Q7. Reuters. Can China cancel this project? Since you are waiting for a firm answer...I don't understand what it
means.
A.
As I have said, I think that we need Chinese support the gentleman at the back said Chinese blessing I think Chinese support is necessary for this project. It is an international airport being built, effectively, part of the sovereign territory of China, so it is reasonable that the Chinese should be behind it. Sorry, what was your question?
Q....Well, whether China can cancel this project, if you don't get this support...
A.
No. I think once the contracts are all let the project will go ahead. Does that answer it? Sorry, I see a bit of puzzlement on your face.
Q....If you don't get the support from China what will happen?
A.
We
I can't answer that. Because it is hypothetical. have got a situation in which Hong Kong needs a new airport. If we don't have this new airport we will suffer from economic disbenefit. So we have got to go ahead with it really. To go ahead with it, as I have said, I think it is highly desirable that we have Chinese support. And we are in the process of getting that.
Q8. Financial Times (UK). Is it conceivable, though, that you will be able to raise the money, financially, around the world, if you do not get that support from China?
A.
I made a comment that you must have missed, actually. I said that, if it came to the pinch, we could pay for this out of our accumulated fiscal reserves.
Q....I did hear you say that. And I didn't ask you whether you wanted to. I asked you whether you thought it was still feasible to imagine that you could raise the money around the world if China has not given its blessing. I didn't ask you whether you could still build the airport.
}