TNAG-2792-FCO40-4031-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1993 — Page 201

CONFIC

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of private land affected as works area before commencement of works. Therefore upon completion of the project there will not be any Hong Kong private land to the north of the realigned river. We do not expect this resumption exercise to be particularly difficult because there is currently no settlement on these lands and the river project is conducive to the interests of rural residents.

Advice sought

15.

Member's advice is sought on the Government's position on the various issues discussed in paragraphs 6 to 13 above and in particular to endorse the following

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

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that we should aim to complete the project as rapidly as possible subject to results of EIA and approval of funds by the Finance Committee;

that we should be prepared to upgrade stage I of the project to Category A in the Public Works Programme when and if the preliminary report of the EIA confirms the environmental acceptability of the stage

I works;

that a more active PR strategy should be adopted to deflect accusations that we are being obstructive;

and

(iv)

that we should resist any pressure from the Chinese to bring this matter to the JLG.

Political Adviser's Office and

Planning Environment and Lands Branch