All ECVIIS to return to China
In response to press enquiries, a Government spokesman confirmed today (Tuesday) that all the ECVIIS in Hong Kong will be repatriated to China pursuant to the agreement reached between the Hong Kong and Chinese Governments on March 14 and 15. They number about 340 in total.
"The ECVIIS came from a number of provinces, principally Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, Hainan and Fujian. They will be returned to their provinces of origin.
"As a number of provinces are involved, some operational details still need to be sorted out," the spokesman added. "We hope actual departures will commence in mid-April, and the repatriation process will take a few months to complete."
The spokesman also confirmed that in order to expedite the return of the residual caseload of ECVIIs, both sides agreed that certain formalities which otherwise would be dealt with in Hong Kong would now be completed after the ECVIIs had been returned to China.
He further confirmed that the Hong Kong Government had agreed to make a contribution of $500,000, which was equivalent to keeping the 340 ECVIIS in Hong Kong for about 12 days, to the additional costs which would arise from this arrangement.
The spokesman emphasised that it was agreed by both governments that the ECVII saga
should be closed as soon as possible.
"The Chinese side will incur some additional costs in expediting the process under the new arrangement and the Hong Kong Government agrees to contribute to some of these costs.
"Both sides agreed that it sets no precedents for any future ECVIIS, to whom the previously agreed arrangements will continue to apply," he said.
End/Tuesday, March 21, 1995
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