TNAG-2537-FCO40-3708-Air-services-agreement-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1992 — Page 24

BRIEFING FOR MR PATTEN ON AIR SERVICE ISSUES AFFECTING HONG KONG

A. HONG KONG AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS

1. The Joint Declaration provides that after 1997 Hong Kong will

continue to manage civil aviation, airports and flight

information; to issue licences to airlines based in Hong Kong and

to issue operating permits to foreign airlines serving Hong Kong;

to renew and amend ASAS previously in force and to conclude new

ASAS (other than with the PRC or containing routes including

points in the PRC). Hong Kong has been acting on its own behalf

in many of these areas, particularly the technical ones, for many

years. Historically, however, all scheduled air services to Hong

Kong have been operated under UK ASAs or similar arrangements

negotiated by the UK. Their application to Hong Kong would cease

automatically in 1997.

2. In order further to build up the autonomy of Hong Kong and to

ensure Hong Kong's continuing importance after 1997 as a major

aviation centre, therefore, Hong Kong is systematically being

removed from the umbrella of UK ASAS as separate Hong Kong ASAS,

capable of continuing beyond 1997, are negotiated with Hong

Kong's existing aviation partners. 13 such ASAS have now been

negotiated and a further seven or so remain to be completed

before 1997. Once negotiated, and prior to signature, the ASA

texts are shown to the Chinese authorities SO that they can

satisfy themselves that their interests are not adversely

affected post 1997. In addition to such separated ASAS, Hong Kong has been authorised to negotiate ASAS with new partners (where there is currently no UK ASA covering Hong Kong's interests) and

has completed negotiation of five such agreements. The texts of

these ASAS are also shown to the Chinese. It is expected that at

least a further five such ASAs will be negotiated over the next

four years.