4.30
THERE HAS BEEN RELATIVELY LITTLE DISCUSSION ON
THIS SUBJECT, EXCEPT BY THOSE CLOSELY INVOLVED. THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE WORLD-WIDE SHIPPING AGENCY LTD. WAS
REPORTED TO HAVE INDICATED HIS SATISFACTION OVER THE JOINT
DECLARATION. HE WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED ABOUT THE
PROVISIONS FOR HK SAR TO MAINTAIN ITS PREVIOUS SYSTEM OF
SHIPPING MANAGEMENT AND SHIPPING REGULATION, AND THAT PRIVATE SHIPPING BUSINESS AND PRIVATE CONTAINER TERMINALS
IN HONG KONG MAY CONTINUE TO OPERATE FREELY.
4.31
COMMENTS HAVE FOCUSSED ON :
4.32
MAINTENANCE OF HK AS A FREE PORT
SHIPPING REGISTER
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF SEAMEN
THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING HONG KONG AS A FREE
PORT WAS DISCUSSED IN AN EDITORIAL OF THE SOUTH CHINA
MORNING POST ON 4 OCTOBER. IT POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG'S
VALUE AS THE POINT OF ENTRY FOR A LARGE PART OF CHINA'S
FOREIGN TRADE WAS INESTIMABLE, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF ITS DEEP
WATER AND SHELTERED HARBOUR, BUT ITS CONTAINER FACILITIES
WHICH WERE STEADILY EXPANDING.
4.33 IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
SHOULD NOW START DEVISING A NEW SET OF SHIPPING
REGULATIONS, TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS WHERE APPROPRIATE, FOR
EXAMPLE, ON THE TRAINING OF SEAMEN, THE REGISTRATION OF
SHIPS, THE DEFINITION OF EXPATRIATE SEAMEN AFTER 1997, AND
TO DEAL WITH THE QUESTION OF SHIPS FROM TAIWAN, SOUTH
AFRICA AND ISRAEL ENTERING HONG KONG AFTER 1997.
4.34
THE PROVISION CONTAINED IN THE DRAFT AGREEMENT
FOR HONG KONG TO HAVE ITS OWN SHIPPING REGISTER WAS WARMLY
WELCOMED BY THE HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION.
4.35 THE NAVY OFFICERS GUILD HAS VOICED FEARS ABOUT
THE EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS OF SEAMEN AFTER 1997, AND HAS
REQUESTED THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF EMPLOYMENT ON HONG
KONG REGISTERED SHIPS REQUIRING BRITISH TYPE CERTIFICATES
SHOULD BE MAINTAINED. CONCERN HAS ALSO BEEN EXPRESSED
ABOUT TRADE UNION RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OF HONG KONG'S
WORKERS.
SECTION IX CIVIL AVIATION
SECRET-35-
14.36.