Mr Paul
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference
SECEVOI
HKC 18219
22 JUL 1991
ESTABLISHMENT OF AIRPORT COMMITTEE
I have the following comments on telno 232 from UKREP
JLG Hong Kong setting out his views on where to go regarding
the establishment of the Airport Committee.
This will keep
2. I agree that it makes sense for the two Senior
Representatives to chair the Committee.
representation on the Chinese side at a level which should
be able to force the pace within the Chinese Government.
also makes it possible for Secretaries in the Government
Secretariat to sit as member of the Committee.
It
3. I think it is sensible to resist having any further
terms of reference for the Committee. Paragraph 6 sets out
the importance of making sure that meetings take place
quickly after material has been provided: but this should be
in Chinese interest since the Memorandum of Understanding
provides for only up to one month for discussions between
the two sides after proposals have been made available.
4. I am not sure that I agree with the second sentence in paragraph 7. The appointments to the Consultative Committee and to the Airport Authority are a matter for the Hong Kong
Government and the Governor. I would have thought it was
unwise to bring these two areas within the purview of the Airport Committee: The implication being that these were
matters for consultation. They are not: they are matters
for the Hong Kong Government which would inform the Chinese side of whom it proposes to appoint.
CODE 18-77
ROFASH/1
CC
CONFIDENTIAL