TNAG-1246-FCO40-1560-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 82

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for political, economic and geographical reasons, HK Government policy-makers had decided to construct the airport at Deep Bay. Some papers also reported that the Government had abandoned the plan to build at Chek Lap Kok. Ta Kung Pao later quoted the Chief Secretary, Sir Philip Haddon-Cave, saying that the airport plan was still under study and no decision had been made on where it would be located. Ming Pao quoted the Secretary for Lands and Works, Mr. David McDonald, saying that the Government had not carried out any study on building an airport at Deep Bay with China.

Meeting with Mr. Liao: The meeting between NPC vice-chairman, Mr. Liao Chengzhi, and the delegation of NT leaders on 12 January was prominently reported, with Ta Kung Pao, Wen Wei Po and Sing Tao Jih Pao using it as their front page leads.

Newsmen were excluded from the two-hour meeting. The leader of the group, Mr. Lau Wong-fat, told the press afterwards that Mr. Liao said China had made some proposals to Britain on HK's future and was awaiting a response. Mr. Liao was also quoted saying that the ball was now in the British court and it was up to Britain to kick it back rather than for China to chase it. But Mr. Lau declined to disclose details of the meeting which he said was confidential. However, the left-wing press quoted him saying the meeting facilitated mutual understanding of the 1997 question and had boosted the delegation's confidence in HK's

prospects.

According to independent papers Mr. Lau said that HK people should stop speculating and China would make proper arrangements to settle the 1997 question. Quoting unnamed political analysts, the Express said Chinese leaders had been more subtle in their approach so as not to cause unnecessary ripples in HK, as they had on previous occasions.

At the meeting, the team put forward some proposals which a number of independent papers said were still confidential. Mr. Lau said these proposals were based on the self-rule formula and reflected local residents' wishes to maintain HK's stability and prosperity. Quoting its own sources, Wen Wei Po said five proposals were put forward. They were:

1.

a long transitional period for HK to change from a capitalist to a socialist

system;

2.

China and Britain should ensure an early settlement and once it had been reached an announcement should be made;

3.

China should speed up the development of Special Economic Zones so as to boost HK people's confidence;

4.

5.

there should be unceasing efforts to promote economic co-operation between HK and China; and

HK should be given the role of logistics base in the South China Sea oil exploration project.

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