TNAG-2260-FCO40-3256-Hong-Kong-Port-and-Airport-Development-Strategy-(PADS)-pres-1991 — Page 72

1991-06-13 10:18 INFORMAT:ON SERVICES DEPT

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ENGLISH MEDIA

AIRPORT

Both English dailies reported in routine coverage remarks by Chairman of the HK General Chamber of Commerce Vincent Lo on his return from Peking. The Post said Lu Ping told the delegation that China did not oppose building the new airport at Chek Lap Kok, HKS highlighted Mr Lo's remarks that China and Britain were unlikely to reach a consensus on the project at least for the next few months in light of the current tension between the two countries.

Both papers, quoting a full report carried in yesterday's Wen Wei Po on Lu Ping's comment on the airport row at a meeting with the FK delegation, said deliberations on HK's transitional matters through the JLG would be affected if the two sides failed to reach an agreement on the new airport. Meanwhile, the Post said leaders of both the British and Chinese teams of the JLG remained tight-lipped on the progress of the meeting but a joint communique was to be issued after the three-day talks.

HKS in the business back page lead quoted the president of HK Construction Association, Chong Kim-loong, as saying that about 30 infrastructure projects held up because of uncertainties surrounding the new airport would have a far-reaching negative impact on the construction sector.

TAXI STRIKE

Both papers in front and inside pages promienently covered the taxi strike and the mixed reactions from the public and legislators. The Post in the front page said taxi drivers had warned of further industrial action if the Government failed to cake urgent action to bring the price of diesel down further or to cut the tax it imposed on fuel while HKS said taxi drivers had softened their stance by cancelling the two-week ultimatum given to the Government.

The Post quoted a member of the Omelco Standing Panel on Transport, Selina Chow, as cautioning that taxi drivers would not win any support of the Panel for drastic action. HKS said many people interviewed yesterday opposed the strike. The paper said the Transport Department was satisfied with the emergency Arrangements and was pleased that the strike did not cause chaos.

In an editorial, HKS said militants who hoped the strike would

ake such an impact the Government would have to consider their case would have been disappointed as the territory got by just fine without them. The Post in its editorial said the strike yesterday had alienated many in HK who would ordinarily sympathise with the drivers, and the threats of further action would merely lose them more public support.

HUTCHISON

In prominent coverage, both papers carried reports that Hutchison Whampoa was to take control of Britain's largest container port at Felixstowe at a cost of about HK$1.16 billion.