6
infrastructure
that has
been
Hong Kong has over 2.2 million
sophisticated telecommunications
developed over the years.
telephones connected to the public switched telephone network.
The density. is 41 telephones for every 100 people. A wide
range of line and radio communication services and equipment is
available to local telecommunications users.
transmission
Efficient
and
data
international telecommunication services are being provided
including international telephone, telegram, telex, leased
circuits, facsimile, television
communication services via cables, microwave, satellite and
high-frequency radio systems. Unless Hong Kong continues to be
able to develop its Own telecommunications to the standard of
the outside world, the economy and prosperity of Hong Kong will
This would best be achieved by Hong
be adversely affected.
Kong
continuing to
have
telecommunications.
responsibility
for its own
Representation at Conferences
10.
Hitherto most of Hong Kong's official participation in
the union has been through the United Kingdom Government. For
example, Hong Kong's interests in ITU Plenipotentiary and
administrative conferences have been looked after by the United
However,
Hong Kong
may
send
Kingdom delegations.
representatives as members of the United Kingdom delegations to
attend conferences directly relevant to Hong Kong and has done
so on several occasions. It is envisaged that in the future
more active participation by the Hong Kong authorities will be
Hong Kong
necessary: as the circumstances
and priorities
in