Tuesday November 12, 1998

HK Port and Maritime Board Concludes Beijing Visit

The Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip, and members of the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board (PMB) today (Thursday) concluded their three-day visit to Beijing and returned to Hong Kong.

Members of the delegation included the PMB Chairman, Mr Peter Thompson; the Chairman of PMB's Shipping Committee, Mr Frank Tsao; the Director of Marine, Mr Tsui Shung-yiu; Mrs Miriam Lau, Dr Frank Chao, Mr Chan Wing-kee, Mr Liang Ming-hang, and the PMB Secretary, Mr Richard Yuen.

Speaking on his return to Hong Kong, Mr Ip said, "The main purpose of our visit to Beijing was to strengthen liaison and co-operation between the port authorities and shipping industries of Hong Kong and the Mainland. We had very constructive discussions with the Minister of Communications, Mr Huang Zhendong; the Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), Mr Liao Hui; and the Chairman of China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO), Mr Chen Zhongbiao.

"We briefed them on the measures taken by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to promote Hong Kong as an international shipping centre, including the establishment of the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board, recent reduction of ship registration fees, simplification of ship registration procedures and negotiations with overseas jurisdictions on reciprocal exemption of freight tax, etc."

He said, "Mr Huang, Mr Liao and Mr Chen agreed that Hong Kong had excellent port and shipping facilities. They expressed support for the work done by PMB in promoting Hong Kong's shipping industry and undertook to do their best under the 'one country, two systems' principle to assist Hong Kong in developing into an international maritime centre."

Mr Ip said, "We also took the opportunity to reflect to the Ministry of Communications and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office matters of concern to the Hong Kong shipping industry, including the feasibility of lowering fees and charges (tonnage dues) paid by Hong Kong ships when calling Mainland ports and the arrangements for Hong Kong ships to employ Mainland sailors and their training.

"The Ministry of Communications and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office have assured us that they will support and assist Hong Kong shipowners in resolving these issues so as to increase the international competitiveness of Hong Kong shipping companies.

"COSCO has also indicated that in future they will try their best to support Hong Kong in respect of freight transhipment and ship registration and step up co-operation with Hong Kong shipowners and the shipping industry."

Mr Ip concluded, "We found our visit to Beijing most useful. It helps to strengthen communication between Hong Kong and the Mainland's port authorities and shipping industries and lay a good foundation for future co-operation. We hope that the two sides will keep up the contact and join hands in promoting Hong Kong as an international shipping centre."