5 -
"The big rise in river trade also underlines the need for a dedicated River Trade Terminal (RTT). We hope to dispose of the rights to build and operate our first RTT towards the end of this year. It will be built near Tuen Mun and the first berth should come into operation in 1998.
"With more than one and a quarter million TEUs likely to be handled by river vessels this year, it is obvious that shippers are looking increasingly at the Pearl River as a natural highway to Hong Kong's port," he added.
Mr Clark said: "The figures for the first four months of this year are impressive and show that there is no sign of a slowdown in our throughput growth. However, our planning is carried out not on just one year's figures but on long-term trends.
"Last year we had a 20 per cent growth and since 1984 our throughput has grown by an average of 18 per cent a year.
"If we are to handle such increases we must have new container terminal facilities as soon as possible, or there will be negative effects on the economy."
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
No question of VRs becoming permanent HK residents
In response to press enquiries about reports which said UNHCR is urging the Hong Kong Government to consider accepting 1,700 Vietnamese refugees stranded in Hong Kong, a government spokesman today (Tuesday) said the following: "The Hong Kong Government has not received any request from the UNHCR to consider accepting 1,700 Vietnamese refugees stranded in Hong Kong.
"There is no question of the Vietnamese refugees becoming permanent Hong Kong residents.
"The UNHCR and the international community have the responsibility to identify and implement durable solutions for the Vietnamese refugees still remaining in Hong Kong."
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995