TNAG-2144-FCO40-3063-Hong-Kong-Port-and-Airport-Development-Strategy-(PADS)-1990 — Page 136

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INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG, PEKING

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0. NOV1990

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PADS: DISCUSSION: PRESS STATEMENTS

THE CS DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TO THE PRESS:

DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE. THEY WERE USEFUL, CANDID AND CONSTRUCTIVE.

OUR IMPRESSION IS THAT THE CHINESE SIDE CONSIDER THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR A NEW AIRPORT IN HONG KONG. AS IS WELL KNOWN, THE CHINESE SIDE SUPPORT WHAT IS IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. THE CHINESE SIDE WERE INTERESTED IN THE FINANCIAL POSITION WHICH THE SAR GOVERNMENT WILL INHERIT IN

1997. WE HOPE THAT THE INFORMATION WE HAVE GIVEN THE CHINESE SIDE

WILL REASSURE THEM.

THE HONG KONG SIDE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE CHINESE SIDE INFORMED ON THE PROGRESS OF THESE PROJECTS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE TWO SIDES HAVE AGREED TO CONTINUE THEIR TALKS. THE DATE AND

PLACE WILL BE SETTLED THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS.

3. LUO STATED THE FOLLOWING:

IN THE PAST 10 DAYS THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE MEETINGS HAS BEEN FRIENDLY. THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN FRANK AND USEFUL. THE CHINESE PARTY HAS RAISED A LOT OF CONSTRUCTIVE IDEAS. WE WILL BRING THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MEETINGS BACK TO THE GOVERNMENT IN BEIJING. AS YOU ALL KNOW, CHINA HAS ALL ALONG SUPPORTED ANY MEASURES WHICH HELP THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.

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