Hong Kong Launches Aircraft Engineering Training Centre to Boost Aviation Industry and Create High-Value Jobs

Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre (with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre today (December 18):

Honourable Consul General of France (Consul General of France in Hong Kong, Ms Christile Drulhe), Mr Daniel Derichebourg (Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elior Group SA), Mrs Vivian Cheung (Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong and Chairman of the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is a memorable moment for us to be here for the launch ceremony of the Aircraft Engineering Training Centre. The presence today and the speech by Mr Derichebourg speaks for Hong Kong's internationalisation.

​Today marks a major step forward in Hong Kong's determination to rise as Asia's first aircraft recycling and parts-trading centre.

We will do so, I'm delighted to say, in partnership with Elior Group SA. Elior is a leading European aeronautic services company with international expertise in aircraft engineering, dismantling, high-value parts management, and more. Together, we have what we need to build a flourishing regional service supply chain, one that captures the full aviation life cycle.

Hong Kong is a global city located at the heart of Asia. As a "super connector" and "super value-adder", we add value to markets, capital, corporations and opportunities, across borders and regions.

This role is supported by an internationally recognised legal system, a simple tax regime, and a favourable business environment, making Hong Kong an ideal two-way investment centre - for Chinese Mainland companies expanding globally and for international firms accessing the fast-growing markets of our country and the larger Asian region.

Our vital aviation industry embodies these compelling advantages. As a global aviation hub with a world-class airport and an extensive air-services network, Hong Kong has achieved remarkable success, particularly in air cargo - Hong Kong International Airport has been ranked the world's number one air cargo volume airport 14 times since 2010. We are strengthening our position through airport infrastructure developments, like the Three-runway System, and by enhancing professional services such as aircraft leasing.

Building on this robust aviation foundation, ladies and gentlemen, we are now focusing on making Hong Kong a leading aircraft recycling and parts-trading hub in the region. This will create jobs. They will be high-value jobs, better-paid and high-skill jobs.

In achieving that goal, we will drive the development of related industries as well, including trade, insurance, finance, leasing and more, creating new job opportunities and long-term economic benefits for Hong Kong.

And in securing the supply stability of aircraft parts for maintenance, we will ensure the long-term growth of the aviation industry in Hong Kong, our country and beyond.

Realising these ambitions demands a steady supply of skilled aircraft maintenance mechanics and engineers. We entrust that to the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, in collaboration with Elior.

A world-leading civil aviation training institution, the Academy has trained nearly 400,000 trainees from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas since its establishment in 2016.

As for Elior, it now has a team of expert professionals here in Hong Kong, involved in setting up the Aircraft Engineering Training Centre, which will offer programmes in aircraft engineering, maintenance and airworthiness management.

The first course will be launched in the first quarter of next year, with more courses planned for later in the year. These specialised programmes will meet international benchmarks and industry needs.

With Elior's expertise and the Academy's commitment to expanding aviation talent, I am confident that the Training Centre we inaugurate today will inspire a world-class talent pool, propelling Hong Kong's emergence as Asia's aircraft recycling and parts-trading centre.

The Training Centre's opening is only the beginning. We will work closely with Elior to identify other promising opportunities in the aviation industry. Together, we will soar.

I am grateful to Elior for its commitment to creating a mutually rewarding future with us here in Hong Kong, and throughout Asia. My thanks also go to the Academy and all the industry partners involved, for your contributions in turning this far-reaching vision into boundless reality.

I wish the Training Centre every success, and each of you the best of business, health and well-being in the New Year. Thank you.

Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at Launch Ceremony of Aircraft Engineering Training Centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress convenes in Hong Kong: Chest pain treatment standards go global, joining hands to elevate care quality

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (April 3) that the 15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress (CCPCC 2026) is being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre over two days (April 3 and 4), bringing together about 3 000 medical professionals from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, the Belt and Road countries and regions and around the world. This marks the first time the Congress is being held in Hong Kong, with the city serving as an important bridge in bringing national chest pain treatment standards onto the international stage, representing a significant milestone for the Congress.

This year's Congress features 16 professional forums and over 200 specialised lectures, covering cutting-edge healthcare innovations, AI-assisted clinical decision-making, intelligent emergency response systems, and international accreditation standards. The event aims to establish a platform for academic exchange, innovation, and collaboration in chest pain centre development and cardiovascular medicine, facilitating the sharing of new medical knowledge and experience, and collectively exploring the latest directions in contemporary cardiovascular healthcare services.

The Congress is jointly organised by the HA, the National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, the Guangdong Chest Pain Centers Association, and the Chinese Cardiovascular Association. The opening ceremony was held this morning, officiated by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; Second-Level Inspector of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, Mr Wu Jingzen; Chairperson of the Organising Committee (Chinese Mainland), Academician Professor Ge Junbo; Chairperson of the Organising Committee (Chinese Mainland), Professor Yong Huo; Legislative Council Member for the Medical and Health Services functional constituency, Dr Hon David Lam; the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Philip Chiu, the HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan; and the HA Chief Executive and the Chairperson of the Organising Committee (Hong Kong), Dr Libby Lee.

Mr Fan stated that CCPCC 2026 being held in Hong Kong for the first time fully demonstrates Hong Kong's unique position as an international hub for medical exchange.

Mr Fan said "Countries and regions around the world are currently facing the severe challenge of a growing number of acute cardiac cases. Strengthening medical exchange and collaboration, and driving medical innovation, are therefore of paramount importance. I believe this Congress will bring fruitful academic achievements to all attendees and inject new momentum into the global development of cardiovascular medicine, ultimately benefiting more patients."

Dr Lee, in her opening address, stated that the HA has always been committed to enhancing the quality of acute cardiac services in public hospitals and actively collaborates closely with Chinese Mainland counterparts to promote the integration of high-quality medical services.

Dr Lee said "Hong Kong's healthcare system is renowned for its efficiency, professionalism, and excellence. The Chest Pain Centre at Queen Mary Hospital has achieved accreditation under the National Chest Pain Centre Construction Standards, and the Chest Pain Centre at Prince of Wales Hospital will also undergo accreditation in due course. Establishing chest pain centres have yielded significant results in improving chest pain treatment processes and enhancing service efficiency, benefiting patients and fully demonstrating Hong Kong's deep commitment to standardised care, multidisciplinary coordination, and timely intervention. Hong Kong's experience can also serve as an important reference for global chest pain centre development. I look forward to collaborating with the Chinese Mainland and international medical communities through this Congress to jointly promote innovation and sustainable development in cardiovascular medicine."

During the CCPCC 2026, the "Chest Pain Center Construction and Accreditation Standards (International Version)" has been officially issued. This standard provides a framework for healthcare institutions worldwide to establish high-quality chest pain centres, which aims to standardise treatment protocols, improve clinical outcomes, enhance clinical prognosis, promote the standardised development of chest pain centres internationally, and ultimately raise the overall level of global chest pain treatment.

The 15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress is being held in Hong Kong on April 3 and 4, bringing together about 3 000 medical professionals from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, the Belt and Road countries and regions and around the world. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress is being held in Hong Kong on April 3 and 4. The opening ceremony was held this morning (April 3), officiated by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (fourth left); Second-Level Inspector of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, Mr Wu Jingzen (third left); Chairperson of the Organising Committee (Chinese Mainland), Academician Professor Ge Junbo (second left); Chairperson of the Organising Committee (Chinese Mainland), Professor Yong Huo (first left); Legislative Council Member for the Medical and Health Services functional constituency, Dr Hon David Lam (fourth right); the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Philip Chiu (first right); the HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan (third right) and the HA Chief Executive and the Chairperson of the Organising Committee (Hong Kong), Dr Libby Lee (second right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases