CONFIDENTIAL
12502
MDLIAN 0697
IS INTENDED TO ENSURE THE STRUCTURAL SAFETY OF CONTAINERS AND HENCE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE INVOLVED IN TRANSPORTING OR HANDLING THEM. IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT A MAJOR PORT SUCH AS HONG KONG SHOULD REQUIRE CONTAINERS TO MEET INTERNATIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. IF THE CONVENTION IS NOT APPLIED TO HONG KONG, THE CONCLUSION MIGHT BE DRAWN THAT HONG KONG IS LESS SCRUPULOUS ABOUT SAFETY THAN OTHER PORTS.
4.
THE CONVENTION ENTERED INTO FORCE ON 6 SEPTEMBER 1977. WHEN THE UK RATIFIED THE CONVENTION ON 8 MARCH 1978, IT RESERVED THE RIGHT NOT TO APPLY IT IN RESPECT OF ANY DEPENDENT TERRITORY UNTIL TWELVE MONTHS AFTER NOTIFYING THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION THAT IT WOULD APPLY TO THE TERRITORY CONCERNED, THE PEOPLE:S REPUBLIC OF CHINA RATIFIED THE CONVENTION ON 23 SEPTEMBER 1980.
5. THE BRITISH SIDE INTENDS TO EXTEND THE CONVENTION TO HONG KONG. AS EXTENSION OF THE CONVENTION TO HONG KONG WILL CREATE NEW INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AFFECTING HONG KONG AND SINCE IT IS INTENDED THAT THE CONVENTION SHOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY TO HONG KONG SAR AFTER 1997, THE BRITISH SIDE WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF THE CHINESE SIDE WOULD CONSIDER THIS MATTER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREED CONSULTATION GUIDELINES.
Q1: WHAT PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION QUERY.
A1: A CONTRACTING PARTY IS REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH AN EFFECTIVE PROCEDURE FOR TESTING, APPROVING AND INSPECTING CONTAINERS AND MAY ENTRUST THESE FUNCTIONS TO AUTHORISED ORGANISATIONS. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE FOR THE NECESSARY LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO IMPLEMENT THESE FUNCTIONS. WHEN THE CONVENTION IS EXTENDED TO HONG KONG, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL
(A) ENTRUST SUITABLY QUALIFIED ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS
CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES, TO APPROVE CONTAINERS:
(B) APPROVE, WHERE APPROPRIATE, MAINTENANCE SCHEMES OPERATED
BY OWNERS OR LESSEES OF CONTAINERS: AND
(C) CONDUCT RANDOM CHECKS ON CONTAINERS PASSING THROUGH HONG
KONG TO ENSURE THAT THEY MEET THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
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