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However, the 1910 Salvage Convention was replaced by the 1989 Salvage Convention which was adopted under the aegis of the International Maritime Organisation and has come into force internationally on July 14, 1996.
It was also agreed that the 1989 Salvage Convention should apply to Hong Kong and should continue to apply after June 30, 1997.
The spokesman said: "The 1910 Collision Convention sets out the maritime rules regarding division of loss and contribution. It deals with the apportionment of liability or fault for loss to vessels, their cargo and freight as well as the liability for injuries to persons on board, arising from collisions at sea.
"The 1989 Salvage Convention on one hand retains the 'no cure, no pay' basic principle of the 1910 Salvage Convention.
"It seeks to remedy the deficiency of the 1910 Salvage Convention by providing exceptions in cases where salvors fail to salve the ship and cargo but help to prevent or minimise damage to the environment."
The new Convention allows for special compensation to be paid to salvors.
The Bill will be published in the Government Gazette on April 4 and be tabled at the Legislative Council for first and second readings on April 9.
End
Media accreditation for Handover Ceremony closes on Monday
Applications for media accreditation for Hong Kong's Handover Ceremony will close on Monday (April 7).
Media organisations are required to submit completed application forms along with a consolidated name list of all their staff who wish to cover the Ceremony to the Accreditation Centre of the Handover Ceremony Co-ordination Office (HCCO) before the deadline.
Freelance journalists may also apply through a bona fide media organisation which they write for, or to enclose in their applications an assignment letter from that organisation.