SECRET
206
111725 MDLOAN 9749
SECRET
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELNO
1819
OF 06200OZ SEPTEMBER 89
HKC062/1
TOP COPY Q DIST ?
INFO PRIORITY PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG, WASHINGTON
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM MARSDEN HKD
WASHINGTON FOR MCLAREN
DEFENCE LANDS AND THE CENTRAL WANCHAI RECLAMATION : DRAFT TEXT OF
PASSAGE FOR SPEECH AND DEFENSIVE ANSWERS
MIPT
1.FOLLOWING IS SUGGESTED DRAFT TEXT FOR INCLUSION IN THE GOVERNOR'S OCTOBER SPEECH:
'WE ARE CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT, IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO GROW AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE THEN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT MUST BE EXTENDED IN SOME WAY. THE SHORTAGE OF
OFFICE SPACE AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS AREA IS ALREADY
BEGINNING TO BE FELT AND CAN ONLY GET WORSE. ACCORDINGLY THE GOVERNMENT, FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE STUDY OF THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE HAS DECIDED TO EXPAND THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT OF HONG KONG
BY CONSTRUCTING A SUBSTANTIAL RECLAMATION. THE PRECISE DETAILS OF THE RECLAMATION ARE STILL BEING CONSIDERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. I SHALL MAKE A FULL ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. THE RECLAMATION WILL HELP TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL INTO THE NEXT
CENTURY'.
2. FOLLOWING ARE SUGGESTED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE NAVAL BASIN?
Q1.
A1.
IT WILL HAVE TO BE FILLED IN.
Q2.
A2.
WHAT ABOUT REPROVISIONING?
WE ARE DISCUSSING THIS WITH HQ BRITISH FORCES. THE PRESENT THINKING IS THAT GOOD USE OF STONECUTTERS ISLAND CAN BE MADE FOR
THIS PURPOSE.
Q3. YES BUT WHAT ABOUT CHINESE NAVAL FORCES?
A3.
AS YOU WILL BE AWARE HMG ARE URGING THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES NOT TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO STATION TROOPS HERE EXCEPT IN TIME OF WAR OR AT SARG'S REQUEST.
(IF PRESSED)
WE MUST GET ON WITH THE RECLAMATION. BUT WE APPRECIATE THAT THE QUESTION OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THE NAVAL BASIN IS A VERY
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