1.
Agreement with Chinese side on second runway welcomed
In response to media enquiries on the announcement of tomorrow's (Thursday) Airport Committee Meeting, a government spokesman said:
"The Government welcomes the announcement that the Airport Committee is to meet tomorrow morning to sign the agreed minute on the construction of the second runway for the new airport at Chek Lap Kok and associated facilities. "This is excellent news and represents a major step forward for the airport project.
"Tremendous progress has already been made on the project and the agreement will enhance Hong Kong's role as a centre of international aviation."
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Secretary for Transport on Western Corridor Railway
In response to media enquiries on matters relating to the proposed Western Corridor Railway, the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, said today (Wednesday):
"It is encouraging that the Chinese side have pledged their support of the Western Corridor Railway (WCR) and our Railway Development Strategy.
"We agree entirely with the Chinese side that construction of the WCR should not be delayed. For this project to be completed by 2001 as planned, construction work will have to start by early 1998 at the latest. "No decisions on the WCR have been taken and of course the Chinese side will be fully consulted before any decisions
are taken.
"In order to fine tune their preliminary proposal submitted earlier to the Government, the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation are embarking on further technical studies.
"These studies will help improve the current preliminary design to support decisions, establish a firm alignment of the railway and to improve the accuracy of the estimated cost of the project.