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COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT
new extension to the building are expected to be completed in January 1977, and this will enable 4,800 passengers an hour to be processed. Less congestion is also expected in cargo handling as a result of a new air cargo complex which recently came into operation. It is one of the largest in the world and the only one of its kind in Asia.
The Civil Aviation Department is responsible for the provision of air traffic control and search and rescue facilities for all aircraft operating in the Hong Kong Flight Information Region-an area recently increased to 167,000 square miles over the South China Sea. An extensive telecommunications network provides links with the major aviation centres in Asia. An aeronautical information service ensures distribution of essential information to the aviation world, and aviation meteorological services are provided in conjunction with the Royal Observatory.
Radio and navigational aids meet the most stringent international standards and are supplemented or updated as necessary. These aids currently include three sur- veillance radars, a precision approach radar (PAR), distance measuring equipment (DME), VHF omni-directional ranges (VOR), and non-directional beacons (NDB). In addition an instrument landing system (ILS) and a visual approach slope indicator system (VASIS) are provided for runway 31, while a unique instrument guidance system (IGS) and a visual approach slope guidance system (VASGS) are now available for runway 13. A computer-controlled secondary surveillance radar has been installed and is expected to become fully operational in 1976.
Despite commercial air transport's heavy use of the necessarily restricted air space, the private aviator is not forgotten. Two privately-managed flying clubs operate from the airport, providing flying training and social amenities. An active sporting parachute club operates at Sek Kong in the New Territories.
Hong Kong International Airport is constantly being developed and improved to meet the demands of the civil aviation industry. But because there is little or no space available for further expansion, and it appears inevitable that industry demand will outstrip capability, the government is considering the feasibility of building a new airport at some future date.
Shipping
Hong Kong has one of the most perfect natural harbours in the world. It varies in width from one to six miles and encompasses an area of 23 square miles. The port caters for all the requirements of modern shipping and it is prominent as a pivotal port in Southeast Asia. It is administered by the Director of Marine, who is advised by a Port Executive Committee on the shipping, commercial and other changing needs of the port. There is a Port Committee which similarly advises the Governor.
As in most state-owned ports, the Marine Department neither controls nor operates any of the major wharves or warehouses. With the exception of the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, all wharves and terminals are provided and operated by private enterprise. The Marine Department does, however, operate and maintain 71 mooring buoys for ocean-going vessels within the harbour. Of these, 43 are suitable for vessels up to 600 feet in length and the rest are for ships up to 450 feet in length. The moorings include 64 special typhoon buoys which are strategically located for