XN000022-1983-12-15 — Page 4

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1983

HK-SHENZHEN GROUPS REVIEW PROGRESS

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THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF SHENZHEN, MR ZHEN XIPEI, AND HIS DELEGATION HAD A MEETING WITH THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBIN MCLAREN, AND OTHER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THIS MORNING TO REVIEW THE PROGRESS MADE BY THE FOUR HONG KONG/SHENZHEN JOINT WORKING GROUPS SET UP IN APRIL 1982.

BOTH SIDES WERE PLEASED WITH THE CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS IN THE JOINT PROJECTS AND LOOKED FORWARD TO FURTHER PROGRESS TO BE MADE. FURTHER REVIEW MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN DUE COURSE.

THE JOINT WORKING GROUPS WERE SET UP TO IMPROVE ROAD

AND FERRY LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN, AND FLOOD AND POLLUTION CONTROL OF THE SHENZHEN RIVER.

TDC INVITED TO TAKE ON EXHIBITION CENTRE

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS INVITED THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PUTTING TOGETHER A PACKAGE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPOSED EXHIBITION CENTRE.

IT HAS TOLD THE TDC THAT A 20 000-SQUARE METRE SITE ON THE WAN CHAI WATERFRONT WHICH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS APPROPRIATE FOR THE PROJECT WILL BE GRANTED, FREE OF PREMIUM, ONCE A SUCCESSFUL PACKAGE IS ACCEPTED.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE DECISION TO INVITE THE TDC TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAKING THE PROJECT FORWARD HAD BEEN TAKEN BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.

IT HAD BEEN AGREED THAT ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF A SUCCESSFUL PACKAGE, THE SITE WOULD BE GRANTED TO THE TDC, OR A SEPARATE ENTITY SET UP BY THE TDC, OR A COMMERCIAL CONSORTIUM BROUGHT TOGETHER BY THE TDC WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE DESIRED EXHIBITION CENTRE COMPLEX BEING BUILT IN THE CONTEXT OF AN OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE.

MR MICHAEL SANDBERG, CHAIRMAN OF THE NON-STATUTORY BODY IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT, TODAY WELCOMED THE DECISION.

HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE RANGE OF OPTIONS SET OUT IN THE GOVERNMENT'S INVITATION OFFERED THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE PROJECT TO FRUITION.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TDC, MISS LYDIA DUNN, SAID THE TDC WAS GLAD TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT'S INVITATION.

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