TNAG-1735-FCO40-2448-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 38

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 25 May 1988

MR. DESMOND LEE: Sir, as to whether the exhibition is intended to cover a per extending beyond 1 July 1997, should the expression of interest be made by Britam in conjunction with China?

SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION: Sir, if it were decided that the proposal was feasible, an approach would then be made to the Chinese Government to seek their views.

DR. HO: Sir, in order to facilitate the Government to come to a conclusion on the feasibility of hosting an Exposition in Hong Kong, will Government consider firstly to engage the professional services of those experts who have had experience in planning international Expositions? Will the Government also conduct surveys to assess the support of the community for an Exposition, or otherise?

SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION: Sir, there are many practical aspects for the Government to consider at this stage. If expert advice from outside the Government is required, consultants could be engaged.

As to the second question, Sir, I think we will be able to assess without a formal survey the response from the public, later in the consideration of this particular project.

MRS. CHOW: Can we seek an assurance from the Government that any conclusion on the viability of the concept will not be drawn until a feasibility involving the relevant professional consultants has been conducted, given that a project as huge as an Expo would require multi-discipline professional, administrative and com- mercial expertise of both the Civil Service and the private sector?

SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION: Yes, Sir.

MR. NGAI (in Cantonese): Since it is the wish of the general public to maintain the prosperity of Hong Kong and since the period of the World Expo proposed will straddle the 1 July deadline, should both the British Government and Chinese Government be brought into partnership? If so, will this contravene the Joint Declaration?

SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION: Sir, the British Government, certainly, is aware of the proposal as well as the initial reaction in Hong Kong. As I stated earlier, if it were decided that the proposal was feasible, then an approach would be made to the Chinese Government to seek their views.

MR. HO SAI-CHU (in Cantonese): Sir, if the British Government has already been contacted, what is their initial response?