XN000022-1985-02-19 — Page 2

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1985

HK GROUP BACK FROM GUANGZHOU

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A GROUP OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, LED BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, RETURNED TO HONG KONG THIS MORNING AFTER A THREE-DAY VISIT TO GUANGZHOU,

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR TOM TOMLINSON ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT,

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MR LAU JONG-MING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SUPPLIES AND DISTRIBUTION, MR LI CHUEN AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, THE GROUP WENT TO CHINA AT THE INVITATION OF THE GUANGDONG WATER CONSERVANCY AND HYDRO POWER BUREAU,

ON ARRIVAL AT GUANGZHOU, THE PARTY WERE WARMLY RECEIVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU, MR LI DE CHENG AND HIS SENIOR STAFF.

DURING THEIR STAY, DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD ON MATTERS RELATED TO THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO HONG KONG FROM THE EAST RIVER SYSTEM. THE DELEGATION ALSO TOURED CERTAIN HYDRO-POWER AND WATER RESERVOIR INSTALLATIONS NEAR GUANGZHOU,

OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES WAS THE PROBLEM OF HIGH INCREASE IN COSTS RELATING TO THE ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION WORKS AND INSTALLATIONS, ELECTRICITY, ADMINISTRATION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THEIR WATER-GATHERING STORAGE AND CONVEYANCE SYSTEM, WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER THE THREE YEAR PERIOD SINCE THE RATE OF CHARGE WAS LAST REVISED ON JANUARY 1, 1982.

DETAILED INFORMATION AND EXPLANATION WERE GIVEN TO THE DELEGATION IN A FRIENDLY AND CO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT. VERY GOOD MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING WAS REACHED IN THE DISCUSSION.

MR CHAN SAID HE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE CASE FOR A REVISION

OF THE WATER CHARGE RATE HAD BEEN MADE.

HE SAID A REPORT WOULD BE MADE TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

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