TNAG-1630-FCO40-2246-Visits-by-Hong-Kong-Government-officials-to-China--the-UK-an-1987 — Page 86

7.3

65

7.2.3

reasonably firm krowledge that the Guangdong Authorities

are not likely, at least in the short or medium term, to

establish major competing international port facilities

close to Hong Kong.

of

The Huangpu port authority requested information about

the tidal and seabed conditions to the west of Lantau to

enable them to undertake the study of the feasibility

and implications cf dredging a new channel in the Pearl

kiver tc the southwest

Lantau. This is a good

beginning of future liaison and cooperation in port and

water-borne transport development, but developments in

this area need to be watched carefully to ensure that

the water flow in Hong Kong harbour is not adversely

affected.

Airport development

7.3.1 The discussions with the Guangdong officials indicate

that construction of 2 Shenzhen Airport, mainly for

Comestic use, has been approved by the State Council.

The question is the exact location, timing and scope.

if on its completion some of the passengers to and from

Hong Kong snift to using the Shenzhen Airport, instead

of Rei Tak, Kai Tak would reach saturation later than

would otherwise be the case. The information obtained

on this visit is, however, inadequate to enable an

assessment to be made of the implications of the

Baishizhou Airport for Hong Kong. It is hoped that more

detailed information will be forthcoming on completion

of the current feasibility study of Baishizhou.

7.3.2

It is worth noting that the Guangdong authorities stated

that the Shorzher Airport would be mainly for domestic

use. As evident from the numbers of people in Shenzhen

reported to he travelling to Guangzhou Baiyur Airport to