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vels of communes near Hong Kong since so many young men had left. One major part of the problem was that there were so many illegal syndicates operating with contacts between Guangdong and Hong Kong. It was important that these people should be apprehended and dealt with severely.
Smuggling
2. Vice-Governor Liu said that there had been a growing problem over the past two years of smuggling along the
coast between Guangdong and Hong Kong. People were bringing
in gold and silver and Chinese herbs and many consumer goods (transistor radios, watches, TV sets etc.) were being
Sir Jack noted that there had been a smuggled into China.
number of press reports recently of arrests in China which suggested that some success was being achieved in controlling this problem. Sir Y K Kan added that the extent of the smuggling showed that there was unsatisfied demand which was being met by illegal means. It would help both China and Hong Kong if improved trade meant that these demands could be met legally
Road Crossings
3
In response to questions from Sir Jack Cater and Dr Wilson, Vice-Governor Liu said that Guangdong attached most importance to the possibility of a new road crossing at Lok Ma Chau. There was still spare capacity on the Man Kam To bridge and the question of a second bridge there was something best left to the future.
Rail Links
4. Sir Jack Cater said that it was only 2 years since the through train started operation. We were now proceeding with
He would be plans for electrification and double tracking. interested to know about plans on the Chinese side. Vice-Governor Liu said that electrification of the Guangzhou to Shenzhen section was planned. However, there were still some conflicting views in China as to whether double tracking should be done at the same stage, done first, or left until later. The costs of electrification were not so high about RMB 80 million and double tracking would be both more expensive and more difficult. Personally, he thought it best to proceed first with electrification, but the argument had not yet been concluded in Guangdong. that electrification was cheaper. But double tracking
He said that the full produced a greater increase in capacity. cost for the improvements on the Kowloon to Lowu section would be about HK$2,000 million. This included electrification, double tracking, new stations, new rolling stock and new communications equipment. He confirmed that there would be no problem about diesel engines continuing to use the track after electrification. However, Hong Kong would be interested in playing its part in co-operation on rail facilities by providing rolling stock for an electric through train service
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Mr Jones agreed
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