CONFIDENTIAL
5
The Joint Working Group
9.
Given the pressure from the Shenzhen side and the Hong Kong community for faster progress without full compliance with EIA procedures, there is a danger that Hong Kong Government will appear to the community and to the Chinese to be on the defensive, or even obstructive, about this project. With careful projection of our position, there is no need for this. We have already proposed to the Shenzhen side to bring forward the next meeting of the Joint Working Group to discuss this project with a view to ensuring that it
Discussions are now can proceed as rapidly as possible.
taking place to determine the date and agenda for the meeting. In view of the considerable public and media interest in this meeting, it would be useful to issue a joint press statement after the Working Group meeting if this can be agreed. But the meeting may be difficult since we expect the Shenzhen side to press for work to begin now, regardless of
the EIA.
Lu Ping's reference to JLG
10.
At a recent Preliminary Working Committee's Economic Sub-group meeting, members were briefed on the progress of the Shenzhen River Regulation Project. Lu Ping was quoted as saying that the river project would need to be discussed in the JLG in order to expedite progress. He questioned the necessity for a full EIA given that the Chinese side had already carried out a comprehensive review in the late 1980s.
11.
In response to Lu Ping's comments, we have said in public that we, like the Chinese side, would like to complete the project as rapidly as possible. But this is a complicated project which could have a major environmental impact. It
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Private notes are available after approval.