TNAG-1259-FCO40-1599-The-Future-of-Hong-Kong---special-study-by-FCO--August-1982--1983 — Page 166

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for

recruiting seamen, more than 18,000 of whom serve

on ships throughout the world. There is considerable

traffic with Macau and China.

Ship Registration

16. Hong Kong is a port of registry for British ships under the

UK Merchant

ships registered in Hong Kong

Shipping Acts;

(of which there are about 200) fly the British flag on

exactly the same footing as those registered in London or

Liverpool. However, administration of the register so far

as Hong Kong registered ships are concerned is undertaken

almost entirely by the Hong Kong authorities. Nearly 1,500

vessels are Hong Kong owned but registered outside the

territory. Of these, about 120 fly under the British flag.

:

The Hong

17. For some time there has been pressure from ship

owners to establish a separate Hong Kong registry.

Kong Government have indicated informally that they do not

have the resources to cope with this.

Possible Changes

Recognition of Chinese Sovereignty with Continuing British

Administration

the

18. If there was recognition of Chinese sovereignty, with

continuing United Kingdom administration over Hong Kong,

territory could continue as a Port of Registry for British

ships.

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/Hong Kong

}