TNAG-1846-FCO40-2621-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 64

SUYAIP

TEXT APPROVED BY MINISTERS. PASSED TO FAC 13/iv/89.

(FARED TO HIKE, PEKING, UKREP ILG)

265

SUPPLEMENTARY MEMORANDUM ON PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION OF 1984 ON HONG KONG (FCO/FAC/11/89)

MAE)

Mr Halley,

Mr Lard, IAD/DTP Air service, file

SUBMITTED BY THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Елеотре

AW13/10

Air Services

FAC

1.

In recent years, Hong Kong's air transport industry has developed at a rapid rate as Hong Kong's economy has flourished, and as Hong Kong's role in the region has developed. It is most important therefore that Hong Kong, as a major economic, financial, tourism and trading centre, continues to have an air transport industry which is able to respond rapidly to the developing needs of the economy and to changes in the worldwide aviation industry.

2. For those reasons, the Government secured the inclusion in the

Joint Declaration both of recognition that the Hong Kong SAR should

be maintained as an international and regional aviation centre and

of detailed provisions on air services. The relevant provisions

are set out in Section IX of Annex I to the Joint Declaration.

These provisions have been reflected in Articles 127-134 of the

draft Basic Law.

3.

The Joint Declaration provides that the Chinese authorities will

be responsible for air services between Hong Kong and the rest of

China, and for negotiating ASAS providing for any services from

China via Hong Kong to third points or vice versa, or between Hong

Kong and other countries which have stops in the Chinese mainland.

The Joint Declaration also provides that, in negotiating such ASAS,

the Central People's Government shall take account of Hong Kong's

special conditions and economic interests, and that Hong Kong representatives may participate in Chinese delegations in air

services consultations.

4. For negotiations in cases where services to points in the

Chinese mainland are not included, the SAR Government may, acting

under specific authorisations:-

a) renew or amend existing ASAS or arrangements;

HKB 011/3