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'Time running out' for PLA base

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BRITISH officials have warned Beijing that time is running out if Hong Kong is to build the new military facilities demanded by the People's Liberation Army before 1997.

In apparent recognition of this urgency, experts from the two sides have agreed to continue their talks on defence lands tomorrow.

The marathon negotiating session, which began last Tuesday and is now set to become one of the longest ever, is a last-ditch attempt to reach an agreement in time to be ratified at the full session of the Joint Liaison Group (JLG).

And one legislator warned last night the Legislative Council's views must be taken into account before an accord is struck.

British officials have told their Chinese counterparts that speedy agreement is essential if the new military hospital and naval base on Stonecutters Island for the use of the post-1997 garrison, are to be completed before the change of sovereignty.

Because of standard marine engineering practices, which stipulate precise time periods for reclamation work to allow deposits to settle, it would take about three years to complete the new naval base.

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