TNAG-2537-FCO40-3708-Air-services-agreement-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1992 — Page 26

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B. UK/HONG KONG/PRC AIR SERVICES: THE NORTHERN ROUTEING

are

8. Both UK and Hong Kong air services to and from China

presently covered by the UK/PRC Air Services Agreement. In recent

years we have been seeking to obtain rights from the Chinese for

UK carriers to fly to Peking and for UK and Hong Kong carriers

to overfly China on a faster, more northerly routeing than at

present. At the last talks (November 1991) the Chinese offered

overflights, but on only 7 services a week which is entirely

inadequate for our needs, particularly of Hong Kong carriers.

They have also sought the ability for their airline (Air China,

formerly CAAC), to operate through Hong Kong to other valuable points including the UK ("through-running"), a long held Chinese

ambition. Hong Kong are reluctant to allow through-running to the

Chinese, even if witholding this means that the northern routeing

does not become available to Hong Kong airlines.

9. The Chinese are eager to be able to use the northern

routeing for their own PRC-UK services and may be ready to do a

deal with the UK for Air China

UK for Air China and UK carriers to use that

routeing, but excluding Hong Kong carriers and through-running. We hope to see the Chinese again in the early Autumn and, subject to Hong Kong confirming the timing is convenient to them, will shortly be offering dates.

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