Subject to the same reservation about inadequate data, there appear to be only two possible sites closer to the border. One is the flat land almost opposite Lok Ma Chau. Runways
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on this site would have to be on a south-west/north-east alignment. Much of the land is marshy and would require extensive filling. The second possible site is on an east-west alignment across the centre of the Nantou peninsula. To build long enough runways on this site, large areas of sea to the east of the peninsula into Deep Bay would have to be filled.
THE CASE FOR SITING THE AIRPORT IN CHINA
8.
The case for locating Hong Kong's replacement
airport in China is:
(a)
(b)
Cost. Although no accurate estimates
of total cost can be made in the absence of a definite site (or alternative sites) and of a detailed study of all the relevant factors, basic land costs may be substantially lower than in Hong Kong. Reclamation costs and the cost of providing ground access may also be lower. So it could be argued that it might be cheaper to provide an airport in China than at Chek Lap Kok.
Political advantages. A co-operative project of this size (which might include a long-term management contract with the Hong Kong Government or a Hong Kong consortium, and possibly a lease extending beyond 1997) would be a major boost to confidence. A satisfactory agreement on an airport in China would help significantly to deal with the problem of 1997.
THE CASE AGAINST SITING THE AIRPORT IN CHINA
9.
There are a number of arguments against siting the replacement airport in China:
(a)
Security. An airport across the border (wherever the actual site) would mean that Hong Kong's main means of access to the outside world would be in the hands of China, which would thus possess a means of exercising varying degrees of pressure in times of tension. It is vital to Hong Kong's
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