TNAG-1926-FCO40-2742-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Sino-British-Joint-Liaison-Group-sub-gro-1989 — Page 43

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November 1988. As so amended, Article I, and Chapter IV

of the Annex to the SOLAS Convention (and in particular

Part C, Regulation 10) will make the carriage of satellite

communication equipment one of two alternative mandatory

requirements for ships of certain categories, i.e., cargo

ships of gross tonnage exceeding 300 tons and all

passenger ships engaged on international voyages on routes

beyond the

coverage

of Very-High-Frequency and

Medium-Frequency radio stations but within the coverage of

INMARSAT satellites.

17.

When INMARSAT services are later extended to

aircraft, aircraft registered in Hong Kong will also be

able to make use of these services. In this area also a

speedy procedure can be expected to be of benefit to

applicants.

Proposals

18.

Since the PRC is a party to the Convention, there

is no need for any action to be taken to secure the

continued application of the Convention to the Hong Kong

Special Administrative Region (SAR). It is proposed that

the SAR Government and the relevant entities in the SAR

should be allowed to continue to

in the

activities of the Organisation after 1997. To this end it

is further proposed that with effect from 1 July 1997:

participate