28.
(a)
15
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The following major issues were considered in the ensuing discussion :-
The representatives of the Guangdong Provincial Planning Commission
expressed concern over the capacity of the existing freight terminal at
Hung Hom which might not be adequate to handle the rail freight traffic
between Hong Kong and Guangdong. The problem of derailment as a
result of different rail design standards adopted by Hong Kong and
Guangdong would also need to be addressed.
(b)
The Guangdong representatives suggested that certain irrationalities in the
port planning of Hong Kong and Guangdong should be rectified, taking
account of the relative advantages of both places. For instance, they
considered it a wasteful use of resources for Hong Kong Government to
engage in expensive reclamation works for port development whereas the
supply of land at Yantian was relatively abundant. Competition between
Hong Kong and Guangdong in port development would inevitably drive
up port charges to the detriment of the economic development in both
places. Notwithstanding the above, they recognized that in the short to
medium term, the scale of port development in Southern China would
unlikely pose any major challenge to the pre-eminent position of Hong
Kong. They also expressed grave concern over the soaring land premium