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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1984
+FOR THOSE OF US IN GOVERNMENT, THESE ARRANGEMENTS PRESENT FORMIDABLE TASKS IN THE FUTURE, IF HONG KONG IS TO HAVE, INDEPENDENTLY OF UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION, ITS OWN LAWS GOVERNING MERCHANT SHIPPING.
+THE DRAFTING ON AN UP-TO-DATE CODE TO COVER THE OWNERSHIP AND REGISTRATION OF SHIPS IN HONG KONG, AND TO DEVISE AND ENFORCE STANDARDS OF CERTIFICATION FOR THEIR SEAWORTHINESS AND SAFE OPERATION PROVIDE A DAUNTING BUT CHALLENGING TASK, HE SAID.
HE REPORTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEGUN A DIALOGUE WITH THE HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION TO DEFINE THE SCOPE OF THE TASK AND THE BEST WAY FORWARD.
HE STRESSED HONG KONG HAD NO INTENTION OF BECOMING A FLAG OF CONVENIENCE AS THE SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS THAT DETERMINE PROPER STANDARDS ALREADY APPLY TO HONG KONG.
+ I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FUTURE WORK OF THOSE INTERNATIONAL BODIES WHO CONTINUE TO MONITOR TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT AFFECT SHIP CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT FOR HONG KONG, THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY IN THE FIELD OF MERCHANT SHIPPING HELD OUT EXCITING PROSPECTS FOR LOCALLY-BASED SHIPOWNERS.
FACTORS FOR HK'S SUCCESS PRESERVED
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HONG KONG'S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY WOULD BE MAINTAINED NOW THAT THE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ITS ECONOMIC SUCCESS WOULD BE PRESERVED IN THEIR ESSENTIALS IN THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, SIR JOHN SAID, +HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN EFFECTIVE AND PROFITABLE PLACE TO DO BUSINESS.+
HE SAID THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY PARTICULARLY IN THE ECONOMIC AND RELATED FIELDS, FOR THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF HONG KONG.
IT CONTAINS DETAILED PROVISIONS TO ENSURE THE CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG'S UNIQUE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, LEGAL AND OTHER SYSTEMS FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997.
/IT WAS