STL witnesses signing ceremony of Airport Authority Hong Kong's equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, today (November 26) visited Zhuhai to attend and witness the signing ceremony of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK)'s equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport.
The Agreement of Shares Acquisition concerning the equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport was signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the AAHK, Mrs Vivian Cheung, and the Chairman of the Zhuhai Transportation Holdings Group, Mr Chen Weijia, in Zhuhai.Mr Lam; Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhuhai Municipal Committee and the Mayor of the Zhuhai Municipal Government, Mr Huang Zhihao; and the Chairman of the AAHK, Mr Fred Lam, witnessed the signing ceremony.
The Zhuhai Municipal Government and the AAHK have been jointly operating and managing Zhuhai Airport since 2006, driving the continuous growth of passenger traffic and the expansion of the domestic aviation network, which shows that the co-operation between the two parties has achieved remarkable results. The commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has shortened the travelling distance between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, creating favourable conditions for the two places to further strengthen collaboration in their airports and aviation industries.
With the support of the Central Government, the AAHK and the Zhuhai Municipal Government have been pressing ahead with the AAHK's equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport according to market principles in the past few years with a view to promoting a deeper co-operation between the two airports. Today's signing ceremony of the Agreement of Shares Acquisition of Zhuhai Airport marks a new milestone for co-operation between two airports, providing a more solid foundation for enhancing passenger and cargo connectivity between the airports.
Mr Lam Sai-hung said, "The National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have recognised Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been making continuous efforts in promoting the aviation development on multiple fronts, including fostering closer connections with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to achieve a multiple synergistic effect and proactively contribute to the development of a world-class airport cluster in the GBA. The deepened co-operation between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Zhuhai Airport today is one of the great examples of strong alliance with complementary advantages.
"The long-awaited Three-Runway System of HKIA is about to come into operation, and the capacity of HKIA will increase significantly. The HKSAR Government will seize the opportunity by increasing our efforts to expand the aviation network and connect the whole nation through establishing an intermodal transport network with other cities in the GBA, leveraging Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' between the Mainland and the rest of the world. In this regard, we will work with Zhuhai to enhance the 'Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong' service, achieving greater synergy by integrating the international aviation network of HKIA and the domestic aviation network of Zhuhai Airport. We will also pursue co-operation in other aspects, including the development of the international air cargo business in collaboration with Zhuhai and taking forward the development of a high-end aviation industrial cluster, with an aim to realise a development plan which is mutually beneficial to the two places," he added.
STL witnesses signing ceremony of Airport Authority Hong Kong's equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE attends opening meeting of NPC annual session in Beijing
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (March 5) attended the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).
The fourth session of the 14th NPC commenced in Beijing this morning, during which Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report. Mr Lee attended the opening meeting in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
In the government work report, Premier Li reviewed the work of 2025. He elaborated on the economic and social achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan period and outlined the main goals and major tasks for the period of the 15th Five-Year Plan. He also stated the overall requirements and policy directions for economic and social development this year, as well as the key tasks of the work of the government.
The government work report pointed out that the 14th Five-Year Plan has been successfully concluded with major achievements. It noted that this year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, and that the draft outline of the National 15th Five-Year Plan has set out 20 major indicators and elaborates on key strategic missions for development across various sectors during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, with a focus on four key aspects, namely striving for high-quality development, strengthening domestic circulation, promoting common prosperity for all people, and co-ordinating development and security.
The government work report pointed out that the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy should be implemented with unwavering commitment; the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" should be put into practice;and the efficacy of governance in accordance with the law should be ensured to promote Hong Kong's economic and social development, supporting Hong Kong in better integrating into and serving the overall national development and giving full play to Hong Kong's unique advantages and important role of maintaining close connections with both the Mainland and the world, thereby promoting the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. The government work report also noted the importance of promoting the deeper integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation, building an international technological innovation centre in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and creating a world-class hub for technological innovation, as well as supporting the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a world-class city cluster.
Mr Lee said he was most encouraged and inspired. Noting that this year is the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan and a crucial year for further deepening reform comprehensively, Mr Lee remarked that the year is of great significance to the implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle. The HKSAR Government will earnestly fulfil its role in bearing the primary responsibility for the governance of Hong Kong, steadfastly implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, unite different sectors of the community to further deepen reform comprehensively, better leverage the institutional strengths of the "one country, two systems" principle and Hong Kong's unique international advantages, open up new horizons for development, and strive wholeheartedly to boost the economy, improve people's livelihood and explore new growth areas.
Mr Lee said he will lead the HKSAR Government in formulating a systematic policy framework to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The HKSAR Government will map out strategic initiatives of greater comprehensiveness, higher precision and in finer detail for key development areas, and draw up a macroscopic, strategic and forward-looking five-year plan for the first time for Hong Kong. Mr Lee said that on his earlier instruction, all bureaux of the HKSAR Government had set up preparatory groups and commenced preparation work. These preparatory groups will be converted into formulation teams for the alignment with the 15th Five-Year Plan and work at full speed to complete the Hong Kong five-year plan within this year. The plan will outline Hong Kong's development vision, core objectives, key areas and major initiatives for the coming five years, providing a clear roadmap and timetable for Hong Kong's social, economic and livelihood development, and facilitating Hong Kong's better integration into and service of the overall national development.
Mr Lee pointed out that the HKSAR Government will continue to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, strive with dedication to develop Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent, and promote the establishment of more high value-added enterprises in the Northern Metropolis. While continuing to consolidate its ties with traditional economies, Hong Kong will also proactively explore emerging markets. The HKSAR Government has established the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to connect the robust productivity of the Mainland, Hong Kong's world-renowned professional services and the keen demand of global buyers. TheHKSAR Government will facilitate the efforts of quality enterprises in going global and bringing in international capital, steadfastly advancing high-quality development of the economy. The HKSAR Government will also redouble its efforts to protect and improve people's livelihoods, and open up a broader arena for the upward mobility of Hong Kong's youth. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong will continue to enhance its international competitiveness, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, strengthen its bridging role between the Mainland and the world, achieve better development for Hong Kong, and make stronger contributions to the great causes of building a great country and national rejuvenation.
Mr Lee extended his best wishes for the success of the fourth session of the 14th NPC and the fourth session of the 14th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee.
Mr Lee concluded his visit to Beijing and will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (second row, centre), attends the opening meeting of the fourth annual session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing today (March 5). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (second row, centre), attends the opening meeting of the fourth annual session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing today (March 5). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (second row, centre), attends the opening meeting of the fourth annual session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing today (March 5). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
