TNAG-0641-FCO40-789-Discussions-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macao-for-proposed-constru-1977 — Page 38

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CONFIDENTIAG

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1. The third point which the Portuguese Ambassador raised with me today when he called concerned a project for an airfield at Macao. It seems that the Portuguese Embassy put a question to the FCO last year on the basis of a suggestion made by the Governor of Macao that a new airport should be built at Macao to take some of the excess traffic now choking the airport at Hong Kong. Apparently the Portuguese asked what the British view would be and home received the reply that it would first be necessary to consult Peking before trying to launch such a project.

2. The Ambassador's comment was that Portugal had no relations with Peking and he wondered whether there would be any point in the Portuguese consulting Peking about the airport idea. His own impression was that, if Hong Kong needed an overflow airport, it should be built in the New Territories. He was sure from the days he had spent in Hong Kong that there was plenty of room in the New Territories. He went on to say that surely no one who wanted to get to Hong Kong would want to go there via Macao.

In fact he seemed to be wanting to say that the whole idea was mis- conceived and ought to be filed away forever.

3. I asked if he was bringing the subject up now on instructions from Lisbon, and he indicated that he was only doing so in the sense that Lisbon asked from time to time whether there was any new British reaction.

4. I think it would be useful if Far Eastern or Hong Kong Department could arrange for something more definite to be said to the Portuguese Embassy on this subject than has been said so far. It would be a kindness to encourage the Ambassador to forget the matter, if that is what we think ought to be done with it. If, however, there is something useful in the idea, he will need to be stimulated vigorously.

26 April 1977

C.C.

Mr Cortazzi

Mr Murray

FED

Hong Kong & Gen Dept)

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10 MAY 1977

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