Hong Kong Business Associations Meet in Japan to Strengthen Regional Economic Ties and Cultural Exchanges.

Hong Kong Night held in Niigata to promote closer regional Asian economic and trade ties

The Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide met in Niigata, Japan, for the Asia Forum 2025, which is an annual regional conference, running May 21 to 23. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and the Niigata Chapter of the Japan Hong Kong Society took the opportunity to hold the Hong Kong Night yesterday evening (May 22). The event is a highlight programme under the Asia Forum 2025 to promote closer regional economic and trade ties, understanding and co-operation, as well as cultural and tourism exchanges among member associations in Asia.

The Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam, was invited as the keynote speaker to share with the guests how Hong Kong International Airport connects Hong Kong and the world, enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness by leveraging various strengths of Hong Kong as a resilient business and innovation hub.

In his keynote speech, Mr Lam recapped that Hong Kong has evolved from a manufacturing centre to a premium business and trading hub over the years with key advantages such as its free port status and low and simple tax system. He highlighted the city’s internationally recognised position as the world’s freest economy and related rankings.

"Hong Kong is a leading business and trading hub. At Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), we aim to support the city in meeting the next wave of competition by providing more value to businesses around the world and attracting more companies to invest and operate in Hong Kong. Our airport therefore must offer the highest standard of convenience and efficiency, through further extending air connectivity and leveraging technology. Our Airport City development strategy sets its sights on transforming the airport into a destination in its own right, attracting more passengers to visit or transfer at Hong Kong," he said.

Mr Lam also updated the guests on the areas where HKIA can contribute to enhancing Hong Kong’s trading hub status, including capturing the tremendous opportunities of e-commerce, streamlining the logistics operations within the region with intermodal connections, and handling new asset classes such as art storage and gold storage.

The Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, said that the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide is network of partners who bear testimony of how different regions of the world have been connected through doing business with Hong Kong over the years. To further enhance these connections and contribute even more significantly to regional prosperity, Hong Kong is actively seeking early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and has sought valuable support for this from various member associations of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide.

The Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide is a network of 49 Hong Kong Business Associations in 38 countries and regions. The member associations have strong business links to Hong Kong in their respective countries.

The Asia Forum is a regional platform for the members of Hong Kong Business Associations to network, share experiences, and build contacts as well as business interests.

Hong Kong Night held in Niigata to promote closer regional Asian economic and trade ties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Night held in Niigata to promote closer regional Asian economic and trade ties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Night held in Niigata to promote closer regional Asian economic and trade ties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Night held in Niigata to promote closer regional Asian economic and trade ties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) successfully completed a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island.

The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Marine Department (MD), the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Garrison) respectively.

Today's exercise simulated a helicopter crashing into the sea near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island. With the concerted efforts of helicopters and vessels dispatched by the Garrison, the GFS, the HKPF, and the FSD, all three people on board were rescued. The exercise lasted one hour, mobilising around 100 personnel from the participating units.

A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Department said, "In accordance with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, CAD regularly organises Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercises to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination among relevant search and rescue units and promote technical exchanges. This is to ensure a rapid and effective response in the event of an emergency."

This Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise is divided into two parts: a short-range search and rescue exercise conducted today in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island; and a long-range search and rescue exercise to be conducted tomorrow (January 13) in the South China Sea, approximately 50 nautical miles south of Hong Kong. CAD, together with the GFS, the MD, the Garrison, the Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China, and the Guangdong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, will jointly deploy fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and ships to conduct the search and rescue tasks. The entire long-range exercise is expected to be completed in around three hours.

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases