TNAG-2521-FCO40-3680-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1992 — Page 53

JVERMEN HOUSE MUNU KUMU.

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LO IN I JL

1100

A

CONFIDENTIAL

2

other

signatory

governments. The United Kingdom ratified on 1 May 1888 (reference at Annex ). virtue of the Additional Article included at the end of the

the Convention

the

stipulations

Convention,

applicable to Hong Kong.

Of the

Convention

3y

are

Benefit

3.

Submarine cables play a very important part in the

external

of Hong

At present, Kong.

there are five submarine cables landing in Hong Kong

to

to

telecommunications

: one

Singapore, one to the Philippines, two to Taiwan and one Korea/Japan. Two additional cables to the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Japan are being planned. Application of the Convention enables the submarine cables landing in Hong Kong to be protected against wilful or

ncgligent damage.

4.

has

It

Hong Kong is an important port in the region. established its own shipping registry and there is also vessels licensed in Hong Kong.

a large fleet of fishing

Hong Kong must be seen to be following the international rule of making the breaking of submarine cables wilfully or through culpable negligence by ships and vessels under the jurisdiction of Hong Kong a punishable offence.

Proposal

5.

should

The

British

side

proposes

that

the

Convention

continue to apply to the Hong Kong SAR after 30 June

1997 in accordance with the Joint Declaration.

To achieve

CONFIDENTIAL