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9. Apart from the cost of maintaining military forces in the Colony, Hong Kong is entirely self-supporting. But it could
become a major liability if a crisis of confidence led to a large reduction of economic activity in the Colony and/or the
cessation or withdrawal of external investment. It would
seam that such a liability must inevitably arise as its economy begins to run down towards the end of the lease in
1997.
Communications
10.
Hong Kong is a valuable centre of communications. It is
a major port, providing both ship building and repair facilities. The international airport at Kai Tak is a valuable point on trunk and regional air routes and the Colony provides major aircraft repair facilities. Air traffic rights at Hong Kong have been of increasing importance to the United Kingdom in the negotiation of Air Services Agreements with other countries; the monopoly of cabotage rights at Hong Kong enjoyed by B.O.A.C. has been of very great value to that Corporation. The SEACOM telecommunication cable link between Singapore and Australia passes through Hong Kong. Cable and Wireless are constructing a satellite receiving station there, to supplement cable
facilities.
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THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER SECTION 3(4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958