Handover Won’t Affect HK-Taiwan Links

by K. K. Chadha, Hong Kong

Shipping links between Hong Kong and Taiwan are unlikely to be affected after the British colony returns to Chinese rule on July 1, industry officials said.

The shipowners’ associations of Hong Kong and Taiwan are working closely to ensure that vessels registered in the two jurisdictions will be able to call at each other’s ports after the handover. “We are confident that a solution will be announced very shortly which will be acceptable to all parties concerned,” said George Chao, chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA).

Some owners, charterers and shipmanagers operating Hong Kong-registered vessels had expressed anxiety about how these ships will be treated at Taiwanese ports after June 30. Although Chinese authorities have already decreed that shipping and air links between Hong Kong and Taiwan can continue after the handover, Beijing has also signaled that it may not tolerate Taiwan-flagged vessels calling at Hong Kong because that would contravene its cherished “one China” principle. “When Taiwan-registered ships enter Hong Kong ports, no flag may be flown that creates a ‘two China’ problem,” a Chinese State Council spokesman said last month. Beijing considers Taiwan a province of China.

This is only an excerpt of Handover Won’t Affect HK-Taiwan Links

Content is restricted to subscribers. To continue reading please Log-In or view our subscription options.