CHAPTER 2
International Conventions
2.
2.1.
Throughout the formative and consultative
stage of this exercise we have been conscious of certain
difficulties which could arise in respect of the
international status of Hong Kong. We have quoted
extensively from the (unratified) UN Convention on the
Law of the Sea 1973-82 and, in this paper, from the
draft agreement produced at the recent United Nations
Conference on Conditions for Registration of Ships held
under the auspices of UNCTAD (referred to for
convenience in this paper as the UN Conference).
bodies regard the rules they apply and the policies they
adopt as responsibilities and obligations of the 'State'
and its 'nationals'. Accordingly, there are frequent
references to 'the State of registration' 'participation
by nationals' etc.
These
2.2.
Hong Kong is not, and will not become, a
State; its people will, for many years to come,
have a
'national' status which may not necessarily reflect any
individual's right of abode in Hong Kong.
2.3.
In the circumstances, therefore, we speak in
terms of a link between the territory of Hong Kong and
the ship, rather than between the sovereign State and
the ship. Similarly we refer to individuals with regard
to their residential status rather than to their
nationality.
Page 90Page 91