TNAG-2406-FCO40-3499-Chinese-incursions-into-Hong-Kong-waters-smuggling.-With-pho-1992 — Page 71

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For information on

14 April 1992

RESTRICTED

HKA 177/1

RECET

17

22 APR 2

DESF

NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

XCRI(92)13

Copy No. 29

~21/4 Miss Willary

IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENSING CONTROL OF LEFT-HAND-DRIVE VEHICLES AND OUTBOARD ENGINES EXCEEDING 150 HORSEPOWER

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FACEEES

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INTRODUCTION

This note informs Members of measures to be adopted as part of our strategy against smuggling by speedboat to China. We intend to prohibit the import and export of left-hand-drive (lhd) vehicles and outboard engines exceeding 150 horsepower (hp) except under and in accordance with a licence. This will be done by order of the Director-General of Trade under the Import and Export (General) Regulations. We also intend to prohibit the carriage of outboard engines exceeding 150 hp on vessels of less than 250 gross tons within the waters of Hong Kong except in circumstances defined in legislation or under authority of a carriage licence. This will be done by order of the Director-General of Trade under the Import and Export (Carriage of Articles) Regulations.

BACKGROUND

2

There are believed to be more than 20 smuggling syndicates active in Hong Kong and up to 50 speedboat trips a day carrying electrical goods and other items (especially cars and motorcycles) from Hong Kong to China illegally. Speedboat sightings since January 1991 are as follows

-

1991

1991

1992

Jan

844

Jul

23

Jan

577

Feb

1 427

Aug

104

Feb 1 062

Mar 1 447

Sep

349

Mar

680

Apr

530

Oct

384

May

12

Nov

565

Jun

12

Dec 9 463

Is this right?

Ow2114

Executive Council