FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
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"I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI IS ONE OF THESE AUTHORISED SOCIETIES.
THIS PROVIDES FURTHER FLEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE FOR JAPANESE SHIPOWNERS WHO WISH TO REGISTER THEIR SHIPS IN HONG KONG AND FOR HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS WITH THE SAME INTENTION,
HAVING THEIR SHIPS BUILT IN JAPAN.
"TO ENHANCE FURTHER THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE NEW REGISTER,
WE ARE PREPARING LEGISLATION WHICH WILL EXEMPT FROM HONG KONG PROFITS TAX INCOME DERIVED FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS,
MAIL, LIVESTOCK AND GOODS UPLIFTED IN HONG KONG BY A HONG KONG-REGISTERED SHIP.
"THIS EXEMPTION WILL APPLY RETROSPECTIVELY 1990," SHE ADDED.
FROM DECEMBER 3
AFFIRMING THAT THE NEW REGISTER REINFORCES HONG KONG'S POSITION AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S LEADING MARITIME CENTRES, MRS CHAN SAID OVER 500 SHIPPING COMPANIES NOW OPERATE FROM HONG KONG.
"THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT OF NUMEROUS WELL-ESTABLISHED LEGAL, FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE INSTITUTIONS AND CAN RELY ON FIRST CLASS TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES," SHE SAID.
ESSENTIAL AND EFFICIENT PORT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, MRS CHAN SAID.
"AS IN JAPAN, PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE NEVER SATISFIED WITH YESTERDAY'S ACHIEVEMENTS. WE HAVE PLANS TO EXPAND OUR PORT INFRASTRUCTURE INCREMENTALLY TO COPE WITH DEMAND, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF THE GROWING VOLUME OF TRADE WITH SOUTHERN CHINA.
"TRADITIONALLY, MOST OF OUR PORT FACILITIES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THIS SYSTEM HAS WORKED EXTREMELY WELL AND WE INTEND IT TO CONTINUE.
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"AS IN OTHER AREAS OF OUR ECONOMY, WE HOPE TO SEE INCREASING JAPANESE INVESTMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN OUR PORT INFRASTRUCTURE,' SHE SAID.
DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS
A BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH PROVIDING FOR THE REMOVAL OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES RELATING TO HOMOSEXUAL ACTS COMMITTED IN PRIVATE BY CONSENTING ADULT MALES.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WAS DRAFTED FOLLOWING A FULL AND LENGTHY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST JULY, RESULTING IN A MAJORITY VOTE IN FAVOUR OF DECRIMINALISING CERTAIN HOMOSEXUAL ACTS.
THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), ALSO EXTENDS TO MEN AND BOYS THE PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION PRESENTLY AFFORDED TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,
/"AS INDICATED