XN000022-1997-01-17 — Page 2

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HK/Guangdong Boundary of Administration agreed

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning the Boundary of Administration between Hong Kong and Guangdong was initialled today (Friday).

The agreement sets out a clear boundary of administration for all sectors: the land boundary between the northern New Territories and Shenzhen; the boundary in Deep Bay and Mirs Bay; and the sea boundary to the West, South and East of Hong Kong.

It is the product of 13 rounds of talks between Hong Kong and Guangdong, which began in 1988.

Initialling the document this morning in Shenzhen were the Deputy Political Adviser, Mr John Ashton, on behalf of the Hong Kong Government, and the Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Guangdong Provincial Government, Mr Xiao Jinzhe.

Speaking at a press conference in Hong Kong this afternoon, Mr Ashton described the agreement as a good outcome for Hong Kong.

"The boundary between Hong Kong and Guangdong is one of the busiest in the world. Millions of people cross it every month, as do large numbers of cars, lorries, ships and boats, carrying a formidable and growing amount of cross-border trade.

"Management of such a boundary poses a special challenge to all the agencies involved on each side, from our respective Police and Customs authorities to those responsible for flood control and environmental protection.

"Their task is clearly easier if both sides know and agree upon exactly where the boundary runs at every point. The fact is that, until now, this has not been the case," he said.

Mr Ashton said that this agreement would not make enormous changes to the existing boundary.

"Nobody who now lives in Hong Kong will find themselves living in Guangdong. But it is very good news for everyone concerned with policing the boundary and managing cross-border activities.