TNAG-0357-FCO40-393-Registration-of-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 19

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extended, but in the longer term no permanent disadvantages can be seen,

Question 10

Mr. PAO feels that if the present proposals are accepted then Hong Kong would have what amounts to a "National Flag", and it is considered his reasons for supporting a separate registry are associated with civic pride. This encompasses his faith in the Colony, and a desire to have major industries, such as shipping, controlled from within Hong Kong, rather than be affected by decisions made in U.K. He also feels that Hong Kong has something to offer in fields such as IMCO, having volunteered the services of experts employed by his own company, to act as advisers to delegations, attending any type of shipping conference. Mr. PAO recently demonstrated this aspect in a practical manner, when he delivered a paper at a training seminar in Singapore, during May 1972, held under the auspices of the United Nations, ECAFE, on "The Operation and Management of Tramps, Tankers and Purpose Built Tonnage".