SECRET 高度機密
6 -
Airport
19.
A letter from D, NAPCO to the FCO is attached (ANNEX B) which sets out the timetable for future ACP contracts, franchises and license awards. 4 ACP projects involve Chinese sensitivities (airport projects, the airport railway, the Western Harbour Crossing and the Central/Wanchai reclamation insofar as it is related to the airport railway).
20.
It will be seen from Mr Siu's letter that the airport platform vote has now won us some time. Awards of future airport contracts do not need to be made until May, June and July. In practice however it is not likely that we could go back to LegCo for further funds before we have reached agreement with china.
21.
It is also inevitable that, without China's agreement, we cannot proceed with the airport railway. No high profile announcement of a formal decision to this effect need be made. We should simply say to those who ask that we will not be able to proceed until we reach agreement with China.
22.
We should continue to move ahead with the Western Harbour Crossing and put the onus on China to block it in the Airport Committee. Since the funds involved are entirely private, it should at least be uncomfortable for them to do this.
23.
Finance Branch are considering whether we should seek an appropriation for the Central/Wanchai reclamation which is a
G.F 316
SECRET 高度機密
6