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AIRPORT UNDERSTANDING SIGNING CEREMONY
DRAFT SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER
1. Mr Premier, we have just signed a most important
document. This Memorandum of Understanding now provides a
firm basis for building a modern airport to meet the
expanding needs of Hong Kong. It is the fruit of arduous
negotiations and meets the principal concerns of all
parties. On its initialling and publication, two months
ago, it was widely welcomed in Hong Kong and
internationally. Of course there were some criticisms of this or that aspect. But I hope that we shall soon be able
to show, by the way we put the understanding into practice, that those criticisms were unjustified.
2. The airport at Chek Lap Kok and its supporting infrastructure constitute a massive project. I am delighted that we have with us today the Governor of Hong Kong and
some of the senior members of the Hong Kong Government who
have the overall responsibility for it. Work will now forge
ahead. The first major call for tenders has already issued. All such tenders will be open to international competition.
I know that Hong Kong's overriding concerns, in the
interests of Hong Kong taxpayers, are cost-efficiency and
reliability. I know too that some first-class and
experienced British companies are showing keen interest: I
very much hope that they will meet Hong Kong's criteria and
be able to make a major contribution. I am glad to hear that Chinese enterprises are also closely engaged.
3.
The construction of this new airport is vital for Hong
Kong's future stability and prosperity, and in particular
for the preservation and enhancement of Hong Kong's role as
a centre of regional and international civil aviation.
I also see this understanding as having a still wider
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But,