International Oil Pollution Agreement to Extend to HKThe International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, 1990 is to be extended to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) with effect from May 1.The convention, which came into force in 1995, provides for a set of agreed-upon guidelines in responding to oil pollution incidents involving ships, offshore units, sea ports and oil handling facilities. A government spokesman said Tuesday that the extension of the convention to the HKSAR would facilitate the cooperation between Hong Kong and the international community in combating oil pollution incidents at sea and in exchanging expertise and technologies in respect of oil pollution preparedness and response. It will also demonstrate the SAR government's commitment to and readiness in responding to oil pollution incidents in accordance with internationally agreed practice, he added. At present, 56 countries and regions have acceded to the convention, including the People's Republic of China which became a signatory in 1998. |
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