The Hong Kong
pres
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Government
has put forward proposals to
existing arrangements for visa-free travel
Oversead for Hong Kong people after 1997. Ease of
travel overseas is a convenience which Hong Kong people
rightly enjoy; it also facilitates trade and tourism
and thus makes an important contribution to Hong Kong's
prosperity.
If we cannot reach agreement on this in
the JLG, it would be difficult to see how these
arrangements could survive 1997,
We are in the process of negotiating a network of air
services agreements between Hong Kong and key aviation
partners which will extend beyond 1997. A number of
initialled agreements are now under consideration in the
If we are unable to complete this programme, the
of Hong Kong's existing civil aviation
relationships will be called into doubt and Hong Kong's
reputation as a major centre of
JLG.
effectiveness
aviation will suffer.
international civil
We
are negotiating agreements with a number of countries
to enable Hong Kong to return fugitive criminals to
their country of origin and to get back criminals who
flee from Hong Kong.
important role in the fight against international
If these agreements are to remain valid after
1997 they must be cleared through the JLG. If they are
crime.
not
These
agreements play an
all in place by 1997, our ability
ability to fight
crime will be impaired and Hong Kong risks
international
becoming a haven for criminals.
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