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OUT THE REQUISITE STUDY). WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE
CHINESE HAVE APPROVED THE BUILDING OF AN AIRPORT AS STATED IN
THE ARTICLE.
4. OUR INFORMAL LINE, IN DEALING WITH RUMOURS OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE BORDER, HAS BEEN GENERALLY TO DISCOURAGE ANY SPECULATION THAT
H.K. G. WOULD CONSIDER PARTICIPATING IN A PROJECT TO BUILD A
REPLACEMENT AIRPORT IN CHINA. THERE ARE PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
SUCH AS COMPLICATIONS OVER THE EXERCISE OF TRAFFIC RIGHTS IN
RESPECT OF OUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, DISTANCE
FROM URBAN HONG KONG, AND COMMUNICATIONS. THERE IS ALSO OF COURSE THE LARGER QUESTION OF THE SECURITY IMPLICATION OF AN AIRPORT NOT
UNDER OUR OWN CONTROL.
5. SUCH REACTION AS THERE HAS SO FAR BEEN TO THE ARTICLE HAS
BEEN MIXED. IF WE HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING ON THE RECORD IN ANSWER
TO PRESS QUERIES, OUR LINE WILL BE THAT THE H.K.G. HAS COMMISSIONED ITS OWN STUDY ON A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AND THE
CONSULTANTS' REPORT WILLNOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH 1980:
THAT FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THE SUBJECT AWAITS RECEIPT OF THE REPORT: AND THAT A DECISION CAN ONLY BE TAKEN AFTER A
DETAILED STUDY OF THE CONSULTANTS RECOMMENDATIONS.
6. A COPY OF ANDREW JEAN'S LETTER IS BEING SENT TO YOU BY
BAG.
CATER
FILES HK & GD
COPIES TO:
HKGO. 6.GRAFTON ST. W.1.
FED
MAED
TRED
PUSD
OID
NEWS D
PS
PS/LPS
PS/MR BLAKER PS/PUS
SIR D MAITLAND
MR CORTAZZI
MR MURRAY
LORD BRIDGES MISS BROWN
[COPIES SENT TO CAD/DOT]
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