TNAG-2823-FCO40-4073-Hong-Kong-Ramsar-Convention-on-Wetlands-of-International-Imp-1993 — Page 3

HICC 040/2 RECEIVED!ECISTRY

7 JUN 1993

DESK OFFICER

REGISTRY

INDEX

PA

Action Taken

GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.

MON 67 JUN 92 10:01

BY FAX

布政司飬

香港下亞軍道

*#*# Our Rat · PAO(C) 1/3371/92

Ke Your Ref

R. A. J. Bunten Esq.,

HKD,

FCO.

Dear Rod

PG.09

CONFIDENTIAL

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT .

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

HONG KONG

7 June 1993

Kansar Convention

Thank you for your fax of 28 May enquiring whether we should make use of the coming 5th Kamsar Convention mcoting to atart discussion with the Chinese on our intention to designate Mai Pu Marshes and Inner Deep Ray under the Kansar Convention.

2.

Wc need to be clear about the nature of our obligations to the chinese on this issue. There is no obligation to consult them under the ID: they have already agreed to the continued application of the Ramsar Convention to Hong Kong after 1997 at JLG XXI in December 1991. Furthermore, the designation of Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay would not involve the creation of naw international rights and obligations.

3.

Nor do we think there are any "boundary" complicatione. The proposed area to be designated is entirely within Hong Kong territory, and clearly outside the scope of The boundary talks.

4.

But we may need to consult under the Convention itself. Article $ provides that "The Contracting Parties shall consult with each other about implementing obligātions arising from the Convention ccpecially in the case of a wetland where a water cystem is shared by Contracting Parties". certainly applies in the case of the Mai Po Marshes and Inner Deep Bay.

That

5.

Another rolevant factor is that we are not ourselves We have yet to complete yet ready to proceed to designation. our study on the full implications; and we shall need to conduct public consultation among interest groups and conccrned parties As this is the first time that Hong Kong hac proposed an for designation under the Convention, we chall also need to discuss with the UK team in greater detail the requirements and procedurce involved.

ATCA

CONFIDENTIAL

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