XN000022-1995-03-29 — Page 56

Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee

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In response to Members's comments on the work of the Infrastructure Co- ordinating Committee, I would like to remind them of the brisk progress the committee has made since its establishment last December. The ICC had its first plenary session in January, at which it decided to set up four panels to cover railways, roads and bridges, air traffic control, and marine channels. A full programme of visits to Zhuhai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong was arranged in early March and a seminar for members, experts and advisers was held in Hong Kong following the visits. During the four-day visits-seminar programme, we exchanged views and information on major proposals such as the Lingdingyang Bridge, which if built would link Zhuhai with Hong Kong, the Western Corridor (road and rail) Project between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and the Western Corridor Railway in Hong Kong. We received briefings, paid site visits, exchanged copies of reports and studies and listened to presentations on each other's proposals and problems. In short, we all gained a better understanding of the issues to be resolved. A series of four panel meetings will be held in Beijing at the end of March and the beginning of April. The panels will report progress to the main committee at its second meeting to be held in April and the way forward is also likely to be discussed then.

The ICC has therefore made a very good start, both sides taking the opportunity to establish new contacts and good working relationships with each other. Open channels of communication and firm foundations for co-operation and co-ordination have been established. The work of the ICC has been characterized by goodwill and professionalism on both sides. On this basis, there is à reasonable expectation that good progress can be made. I am sure that the ICC will continue to be a successful feature of the close relationship between Hong Kong and China.

End/Wednesday, March 29, 1995

Speech by Secretary for Security on budget debate

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, on budget debate in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

I should first like to deal with issues raised by Honourable Members on Law and Order.

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