CONFIDENTIAL
2
recognised
important
internationally, in respect of a number of
areas
of merchant
assistance and salvage at sea,
shipping, for example, claims for damages, free
of treatment, limits of
transit and navigation, equality liability, settlement of disputes and loading requirements.
4.
The application Of
goods are handled
these Merchant Shipping
treaties ensures that the rights of Hong Kong ships to claim damages in cases of collision, to have fair and equal treatment in other parties' maritime ports and to navigate freely On other parties' waters are properly safeguarded. The treaties also ensure that payments of compensation, settlements of disputes and the carriage of passengers and in accordance with international They further require parties to maintain the Safe use of harbours and, in case of accident, to render assistance and to co-operate effectively in the search and rescue services provided to persons in distress at sea. continued application of these Merchant Shipping treaties is
therefore vital to secure the smooth and safe
practice.
The
operation of the shipping business and hence to safeguard development Of Hong Kong's international
the continued
trade.
Proposal
5.
At JLG V in November 1986, the Chinese side agreed that the HKSAR would continue to maintain its associate
membership of the International Maritime Organization
(IMO); and that "certain maritime maritime organizations and other
agreements
applicable
Hong
Kong
conventions passed by international maritime
which were signed by Britain and presently to Hong Kong will automatically be applicable to provided that they have been signed by the PRC."
CONFIDENTIAL
(
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.