Aviation officials from Hong Kong and the Mainland signed a co-operation arrangement on aircraft accident investigation and search and rescue in Beijing today.

Under the arrangement, Mainland assistance will be sought for search and rescue and wreckage salvage if an aircraft accident or serious incident occurs in Hong Kong's Flight Information Region, an area of 276,000 square kilometres extending over the South China Sea. 

Both Hong Kong and the Mainland will also be responsible for ensuring that an investigation into the incident is organised, and acting as a "Rescue Co-ordination Centre" depending on the location and the aircraft's state or place of registry.

Arrangement signifies Mainland's ongoing support

Civil Aviation Director-General Albert Lam and General Administration of Civil Aviation of China's Office of Aviation Safety Director-General Wang Sui-fa signed the arrangement.

Mr Lam, who is on a one-week official visit to Beijing and Shanghai, said the arrangement not only demonstrates a commitment to providing an efficient search and rescue system which is essential in time of aircraft distress. It also signifies the vital ongoing support from the Mainland.

In Beijing, Mr Lam will meet CAAC Minister Captain Yang Yuan-yuan and Vice-minister Mr Gao Hong-feng, as well as the senior management of the Office of State Air Traffic Control Commission and other air traffic bodies. 

In Shanghai, Mr Lam will meet the senior management of the East China Regional Administration of CAAC and its Air Traffic Management Bureau, as well as China Eastern Airlines.

Working relationship to be reviewed

The visit's goal is to review the working relationship of the two parties throughout the years, discuss aviation issues that are of mutual interest, and explore means to strengthen future co-operation.

Up for discussion are key topics such as:

* Pearl River Delta Air Traffic Management Planning & Implementation;

* the Satellite-based Communications, Navigation & Surveillance/Air Traffic Management Systems applications; and

* the latest development of the Co-operation Arrangement on mutual acceptance of approval of aircraft maintenance organisations aviation authorities in the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau signed.

They will also discuss the implementation of the Regulated Agent Regime in Hong Kong to enhance air cargo security, safe transport of dangerous goods by air, and security audit conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.