TNAG-2312-FCO40-3356-Air-services-between-Hong-Kong-and-South-Korea-1991 — Page 49

HKC181/23

Y.

07 MAY 1991

Speaking Note

CS215

1. We have been approached by the Government of the Republic of

Korea with a request to negotiate a separate Air Services

Agreement with Hong Kong.

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HK/ROK AS

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2. At present, Hong Kong has extensive air links with the ROK.

Apart from third-party airlines, the Hong Kong-based and the

Korean designated airlines operate a total of 33 services per

week between Hong Kong and the ROK. These comprise 14 passenger

services operated by Cathay Pacific Airways, 14 passenger

services operated by Korean Air, 3 passenger services operated by

Asiana Airlines and 2 freighter services operated by Korean Air.

Over the last few years, the traffic demand between Hong Kong and

the ROK has increased steadily. By way of illustration, for the

year ended December 1988, some 101,000 ROK residents visited Hong

Kong. This figure increased to 167,000 for the same period in

1989 and then to 185,000 in 1990. Hong Kong's trade relations

with ROK have also developed rapidly in recent years. In 1990,

the ROK was Hong Kong's 7th largest trading partner: Hong Kong

exports and re-exports to the ROK amounted to HK$14.8 billion and

imports from the ROK were valued at HK$28.2 billion.

3. It is of great importance to Hong Kong's continued economic prosperity that the existing extensive air links between Hong

Kong and the ROK be maintained and allowed to develop further.

Hong Kong/ROK ASA would provide a firm and secure basis for this

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