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for
recruiting seamen, more than 18,000 of whom serve
on ships throughout the world. There is considerable
traffic with Macau and China.
Ship Registration
16. Hong Kong is a port of registry for British ships under the
UK Merchant
ships registered in Hong Kong
Shipping Acts;
(of which there are about 200) fly the British flag on
exactly the same footing as those registered in London or
Liverpool. However, administration of the register so far
as Hong Kong registered ships are concerned is undertaken
almost entirely by the Hong Kong authorities. Nearly 1,500
vessels are Hong Kong owned but registered outside the
territory. Of these, about 120 fly under the British flag.
:
The Hong
17. For some time there has been pressure from ship
owners to establish a separate Hong Kong registry.
Kong Government have indicated informally that they do not
have the resources to cope with this.
Possible Changes
Recognition of Chinese Sovereignty with Continuing British
Administration
the
18. If there was recognition of Chinese sovereignty, with
continuing United Kingdom administration over Hong Kong,
territory could continue as a Port of Registry for British
ships.
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/Hong Kong
}