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administration until 1997, and under the government of the Hong Kong Special Admini- strative Region thereafter.
The Sino-British Joint Liaison Group agreed in 1986 on the general principles to be adopted for establishing a modified register of shipping for Hong Kong. A steering group with representatives from the Hong Kong Government and relevant sectors of the local shipping industry was formed in March 1987 to consider and advise on detailed proposals for the establishment of the new shipping register in accordance with the agreed principles. Two main committees set up under the steering group have made good progress in developing the details of the legal and administrative aspects of the register, training and certification of seafarers, and technical standards.
The Technical Policy Division of the Marine Department provides research and sup- port on technical issues to the steering group, committees and their working groups and it is envisaged that the new Hong Kong register of shiping will be set up in late 1990.
Hong Kong is also an important centre for the recruiting of seafarers. The Seamen's Recruiting Office and the Mercantile Marine Office register and supervise the employment of about 6 500 active seafarers on board some 650 ships of many flags. Considerable attention has been given to provide more comprehensive training for Hong Kong seafarers and, in this respect, the new permanent Seamen's Training Centre at Tai Lam Chung in the New Territories now provides pre-sea training courses for new entrants, and in-service training for seamen to comply with the requirements of the International Convention on Training and Certification of Seafarers.
The Examination Section conducts a wide range of examinations for persons requiring certificates of competency for service on vessels of all sizes and types operating in inter- national and local waters. The section also monitors all aspects of training at approved establishments for the acquisition of various maritime qualifications recognised by the Hong Kong Government and required by international convention.
Civil Aviation
The Civil Aviation Department is responsible for all aspects of Civil Aviation in Hong Kong apart from the licensing of Hong Kong airlines for scheduled air services which falls to the Air Transport Licensing Authority, an independent statutory body.
The department consists of six divisions dealing with air traffic control, aviation safety, technical and planning matters, international relations governing air services, management of Hong Kong International Airport and airport development studies. The department is also provided with accounting services to control revenue and expenditure, and with office management services for staff establishment, personnel matters and welfare. In July, responsibilities for air services negotiations were progressively transferred to the Economic Services Branch. Negotiations for air services agreements will henceforth be undertaken by officers of the branch, while the department continues to deal with the operational and economic regulation of air services.
Hong Kong's single-runway airport is the product of a continuous programme of modification and development to meet the rapid growth in air traffic and the introduction of new aircraft. A full range of facilities is available, including aircraft engineering, in-flight catering and the largest single air freight complex in the world.
Passenger throughput and cargo traffic increased substantially in 1988. There were 15.3 million passengers, which represented an increase of 21 per cent over the total of 12.7 million in the previous year. General cargo, including manufactured goods imported,