CODE 18.77
Secretary A & S
RE
REGISTRY No. 51:
14 JAN 1974
HKK 21/3.
0.0.
Reference
Copy Sent
dr.
"
cc
PO/Minister A & S PS/PUSS A & S
MITD.
PA
Mw. Hubback Dep Sec Mr. Brigstocke SP Mr. Obanden Maï 1 Mr. Ladigan HAR 4 Mrs. Wicks MAR 1 Mr. Hunt KAR 1
Fir. A. Stuart #00
Goodfello
HONG KONG REGISTER
As
The possibility which you raised of giving Hong Kong complete independence in marine matters has now been considered in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. indicated in my minute of 20 December the FCO are unable to agree to the proposal. The main objections are as follows:-
(a) Because the Chinese Government regard Hong Kong as forming part of the territory of the Chinese Feople's Republic, to embark on the kind of constitutional changes necessary to give the Colony such independence would involve diplomatic problems of a politically unacceptable nature.
(b)
Because Hong Kong is a Colony, the UK is responsible for the territory's international relations. We have to answer for Hong Kong on shipping matters in ICO and elsewhere, and if a Hong Kong thip were involved in an international incident, the UK could be called to account. To give the Colony independence in marine matters would relieve us of control over Hong Kong ships without absolving us of responsibility for them.
(e) Purely from the marine safety point of view, it would in any case be highly undesirable to give Hong Kong independence in marine matters unless we were convinced that the Colony could without assistance call upon the professional expertise and administrative resources necessary for the maintenance of safety standards on a greatly expanded fleet. Since it has great difficulty in recruiting enough surveyors to cope with its existing small fleet, it is difficult to argue that it could.
(a)
At present the only flag internationally recognised for long Kong ships outside Colonial waters is the Red Ensign. For the reasons given at (a) above, the FCC consider that the Chinese Government would object to the use of the Colony's flag in international waters, even if this were acceptable to the UK and other countries.
In all the circumstances, I think we must regard this as a non- runner and concentrate our attention on the proposals I diccussed with you recently.
inArche
JA. ARCHER
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