Mr Riordan, MED
Please see
CONFIDENTIAL
Waaveil
Reference
B
mä
my minute below to Mr Chamberlain, n
his reply overpage.
Mr Riordan
Will Banato
Legal Advisers
ASIASAT: BRITISH NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE (BNSC)
1.
6174 3381
27/9171
Hong Kong's telno 2668 made their case for employing BNSC as consultants for the licensing of ASIASAT 2. They argue that the reason they wish to engage BNSC as their consultant (rather than merely seeking their advice as they did with ASIASAT 2) is that they will be localising the Outer Space Act 1986 (Hong Kong) Order 1990 probably in 1994. Hong Kong say it would be difficult to explain to the Chinese why they would not wish to seek Peking's close involvement in or approval for the licensing of satellites after 1997 if they were now doing so with BNSC.
2. ESED and BNSC (latter is a semi-governmental body) had commented that whilst BNSC would act as licensing adviser to Hong Kong, they very much doubt they could become their consultants for several reasons but more importantly, from our point of view, because they see responsibility for satellite matters passing from Hong Kong to China at transition.
3. This is evidently not Hong Kong's thinking, who presumably anticipate that in agreeing the localisation of the Outer Space Act 1986 (Hong Kong) Order 1990, the Chinese will be prepared to allow Hong Kong to do its own satellite licensing.
4. I would be grateful for your views and those of Legal Advisers, as to whether the foregoing description reflects Hong Kong's probable position and whether Hong Kong has good grounds to believe the Chinese will be so forthcoming.
14. Jumer
T Furness
26 September 1991
cc: Ms Barrett Legal Advisers
Mr Chamberain
I assume
1.
in
that
Miin Karrett.
Mr Bonde and Mr Inglis
to Ching in
ave comect saying that the uk has international responsibility for the operation of Ariasat, and that this will pass 1997 (not Hong Leong? However, as I recall that you
I should be grateful fol drafted the Order
regarding BRIAFZ your confirmation that the's a gumments bus there antaromy post 1997 (in para 4 of TUR, an back page) are based an
misunderstanding.
CC
a
CODE 18-77
in 1990, stadd
CONFIDENTIAL
Fill Bando
26/9/91