CONFIDENTIAL
013544
MDHOAN 3310
1997, EXCEPT BY AGREEMENT WITH CHINA.
C) TO APPOINT A HONG KONG PERSON FROM THE BANK OF CHINA GROUP TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
D) TO CONSULT THE CHINESE SIDE ABOUT CERTAIN MAJOR ISSUES WHICH MIGHT ARISE AS THE PROJECT PROCEEDS, INCLUDING MAJOR CHANGES TO IT.
E) TO SET UP A CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE AIRPORT.
BUT THE CHINESE SIDE HAS ASKED FOR FURTHER ASSURANCES AND CLOSER SUPERVISION OF THE PROJECT. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONSIDER THAT IT WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE TO AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS: WE BELIEVE THAT IF THE CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT IS TO BE BUILT IN A COST-EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT, A SINGLE AUTHORITY, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, MUST BE ABLE TO MANAGE THE PROJECT WITHOUT EXCESSIVE CONSTRAINTS. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ALSO NEEDS TO RETAIN FLEXIBILITY TO MANAGE HONG KONG'S FINANCES PRUDENTLY OVER THE SIX YEARS: THEY CANNOT PREDICT IS ADVANCE ALL POSSIBLE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
- SO IT NOW LOOKS AS THOUGH ABLE TO PROCEED AS PLANNED.
THE CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT WILL NOT BE
BUT ALL CONCERNED NEED TO REFLECT
AS THE PRESENT POSITION AND CONSIDER THE BEST WAY FORWARD.
-
ON COOPERATION MORE GENERALLY, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY MADE VARIOUS PROPOSALS DURING HIS VISIT TO PEKING, INCLUDING FOR STRENGTHENING THE WORK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND FOR REGULAR MEETINGS OF FOREIGN MINISTERS. OUR STARTING POINT IS THE NEED TO INTENSIFY OUR COOPERATION WITH CHINA AS SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG'S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY AND ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION. THE CHINESE SIDE WELCOMED THE FOREIGN SECRETARY'S PROPOSALS, AND WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THEM AS WELL AS ABOUT THE SPECIFIC ISSUE OF THE AIRPORT.
AS YOU KNOW, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID THAT WE WOULD BE READY TO CONSULT THE CHINESE SIDE MORE OFTEN, IN PARTICULAR ABOUT MAJOR ISSUES STRADDLING 1997. THE CHINESE SIDE WELCOMED THIS BUT IN OUR TALKS AT OFFICIAL-LEVEL WE HAVE NOT REACHED FULL AGREEMENT ABOUT WHAT WE MEAN BY CONSULTATION. CHINESE LEADERS HAVE STATED CLEARLY THAT CHINA DOES NOT WANT CONDOMINIUM OR A RIGHT OF VETO IN HONG KONG AND HAS NO WISH TO UNDERMINE THE
3
PAGE
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.