MOVES to enhance security regulations at Kai Tak were being pushed through to ensure safety at the airport when China took over responsibility in 1997, the Secretary for Security, Alistair Asprey, said yesterday.
The Government was concerned that security levels could fall and Hong Kong might become involved in hijackings from the mainland.
Mr Asprey announced that the Hong Kong Aviation Security Bill, designed to embody the current high standards in local law, was at its drafting stage and would be placed before the Legislative Council next summer.
Current security provisions governing Kai Tak are contained in British legislation incorporating many international agreements and conventions on minimum security standards. But British laws will not cover the territory after June 30, 1997.
Taking care not to criticise Chinese standards, Mr Asprey told delegates attending an International Air Transport Association (IATA) aviation security conference that the Government had wanted such protection for some time.
With the new law, ''Hong Kong will have its own aviation security legislation which will have effect both before and after June 30, 1997, and so will enable us to continue to ensure that Hong Kong is adequately protected in the years ahead against criminal and terrorist attacks on aircraft, passengers and airports'', Mr Asprey said.