DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE
8.
We and the Hong Kong Government have sought to encourage the Chinese Government to support the project. During Mr Maude's visit to Peking in July 1990, the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr Li Peng, acknowledged that Hong Kong needed a new airport but made it clear that the Chinese Government could not give a substantive view until their own experts had assessed the feasibility of the project.
9. A team of Chinese experts visited Hong Kong in October
1990 for a detailed briefing on the financial and technical
aspects of the project. In early December 1990, Lu Ping,
the new Head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs office, made a number of statements raising questions about the Hong Kong Government's proposals to fund the projects. A further
round of talks was held in Peking in early January, but failed to resolve any of the outstanding issues.
The Governor of Hong Kong visited Peking, on
10.
21-23 January. He had useful discussions with Chinese
leaders. The Chinese reiterated that Hong Kong needed a new airport, but made it clear that further expert talks would
be needed. A further round of talks will be held in late
February.
BRITISH COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
11. A significant number of the consultancy contracts have
already been awarded to British companies including Kleinwort Benson, Wardley's and Mott MacDonald and Maunsell.
A reclamation project has also been awarded to Gammon (in which Jardines and Trafalgar House have half shares). There are likely to be strong British bids for key works elements of the project, including the Lantau Fixed Link, the airport platform, the airport terminal and runways and the rail
link.
REXABI/4
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