XN000022-1995-07-07 — Page 12

IV.

What's next?

10.

With two major agreements reached in quick succession and with my own recent visit to Beijing, I very much hope that we will now enter into a period of more positive co-operation between the British/Hong Kong and the Chinese Governments. This is what the community and the Civil Service want to see. But much still remains to be done. I would like to spend the rest of my speech to outline some of the issues that need to be settled to ensure a smooth transition.

Immigration Issues

Firstly, immigration issues, which I know are close to your heart. This is one area that affects the entire Hong Kong community, whether local Chinese or expatriates. It also affects those Hong Kong people who have obtained a second nationality elsewhere. We need to know exactly who will have, and continue to have, a right of abode in Hong Kong after 1997. We need to know when, and how, the SAR passports will be issued. We also need to be certain that the SAR passports will be readily accepted by the international community, thereby guaranteeing our freedom of travel. We have been discussing with the Chinese side how the Immigration Ordinance should be amended to ensure that it is brought into line with the Basic Law. One of the main objectives of this process is to obtain certainty. I cannot over- emphasise the importance for us to make quick progress on this, in particular for former Hong Kong people who have acquired foreign nationality. Early resolution of these issues will do much to instil confidence, both amongst the local population and the business community. And I am glad to be able to assure you that discussions with the Chinese are continuing and I think both sides appreciate the urgency in resolving these issues.

Container Terminals

Another area where urgent progress is needed is the container terminals. This is an important element of our infrastucture. It is crucial to Hong Kong's position as a trading port. Our existing facilities are under pressure and we urgently need new ones - but even if we were to start building tomorrow, no new terminals could be brought into use until mid-1997. Put that against our forecasts of demand which tell us that we shall have to provide three new terminals by the turn of the century, then you can readily appreciate why there is an urgency to resolve this issue once and for all. I hope that in the coming months, we can reach agreement with the Chinese side on how to proceed not only in respect of Container Terminal 9 but also Terminal 10 and 11.