CE Opens Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International Convention 2026, Highlighting Hong Kong's Role as Global Logistics Hub

Speech by CE at Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International Convention 2026

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International Convention 2026 today (September 22):

Mr Jan Steenberg (President, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International), Ir Professor Sam Chow (President, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong), members of the Chartered Institute, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is a great pleasure to join you today at the Opening Ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International Convention. To our overseas delegates, a warm welcome to Hong Kong, Asia's World City.

I am delighted that this year's International Convention is taking place here in Hong Kong. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, after all, is the global professional body for transport and logistics practitioners. And Hong Kong is a premier international logistics hub.

The timing could not be better. We have just unveiled Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, which includes a masterplan for the development of our logistics sector.

That masterplan is built on four corridors. First, the cold chain corridor. We are committed to Hong Kong's rise as an international centre for cold chain trade. We have the experience and wide-ranging expertise. We also have the largest number of refrigerated container plugs in the region. And we are primed to build international, cold chain logistics corridors between South China and South America - with Hong Kong at the centre.

Second, the transshipment corridor. We will strengthen Hong Kong as a key node, actively participating in the national development of a smart and green logistics model. That means water-to-water transshipment powered by electric, autonomous ships. It also means better land freight links to the Chinese Mainland. We will work with ports such as Yangpu, Yantian and Huizhou.

We will do the same in aviation. Hong Kong is the world's busiest air cargo hub, and our air freight connectivity continues to grow. Our new routes to Central Asia are a good example.

Third, the green energy corridor. It will connect Hong Kong with green maritime-fuel production bases in the Chinese Mainland, giving us a stable supply for bunkering and trading. The corridor will also strengthen our port's green credentials. Hong Kong is the world's seventh-largest bunkering hub. Since 2025, we have bunkered over 330 000 tonnes of green maritime fuel. And we are just getting started.

Fourth, the digital logistics corridor. We have built it through the Port Community System. The System improves supply chain visibility. It attracts cargo to route through Hong Kong, opening up trade-financing opportunities. To date, more than 8 000 enterprises have registered. I am confident that number will keep growing, that the benefits will become ever more visible.

The theme of this year's Convention is "Global Corridors, Collaboration Excellence". How fitting. Hong Kong has always been a crossroads of the world - the best place to build global corridors.

Our strategic location helps. We sit at the heart of Asia and at the southern gateway to our country, China. Our aviation and shipping networks are vast. Our airport and port infrastructure are world-class. Few places can match our comprehensive, multi-modal logistics system. To take just one example, Hong Kong International Airport has been named the world's busiest cargo airport 15 times since 2010.

The Convention theme's second part is no less essential: yes, collaboration. No logistics hub succeeds alone. We welcome co-operation with friends near and far, East and West. Hong Kong is more than accommodating. Here, reaching out, working with the world, is our natural resource.

I am also pleased that you can take part in technical visits today. They will take place in Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area. We want you to see how our expanding collaboration is making the Greater Bay Area one of the world's most economically vibrant regions. The future for transport and logistics.

And the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong is helping to realise that future. It has long been our staunch partner in promoting logistics excellence. My thanks to CILTHK (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong) and to CILT International (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International).

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a fruitful Convention. May you build new corridors - of knowledge, partnership and trust - during your stay with us in Hong Kong. Thank you.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International Convention 2026 today (September 22). Photo shows Mr Lee (centre) officiating at the eye-dotting ceremony for the lion dance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International Convention 2026 today (September 22). Photo shows Mr Lee (centre); the President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International, Mr Jan Steenberg (eighth right); the President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, Professor Sam Chow (eighth left); and other guests at the Convention. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International Convention 2026 today (September 22). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR LegCo strongly condemns and opposes external forces' defamation and smears against court's sentencing in the "conspiracy to commit collusion" case of Wong Chi-fung

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

Multiple Western countries, anti-China media, overseas organisations and politicians have recently made untruthful remarks under the pretext of the court's sentencing in the case of Wong Chi-fung concerning the offence of "conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign countries or with external elements to endanger national security", defaming and smearing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's (HKSAR) judicial system and national security laws, and attempting to deliberately distort Wong Chi-fung's criminal acts of harming the interests of the country and the HKSAR into personal political expression. A spokesperson for the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the HKSAR yesterday (November 6) stated that this is entirely a political manipulation aimed at confusing the public and misleading the public of Hong Kong as well as the international community. LegCo expresses resolute opposition against this.

The LegCo spokesperson emphasised that the court has clearly pointed out that Wong Chi-fung and Law Kwun-chung were the masterminds of the case, and the advocates at the forefront calling for foreign countries to impose sanctions or other hostile measures against Hong Kong. Before the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), they had persistently colluded with foreign countries or external elements, actively and openly soliciting foreign countries to impose sanctions against China and Hong Kong. Following the implementation of the HKNSL, they continued to commit acts endangering national security. As stated in the HKSAR Government's statement, the Basic Law specifically stipulates that the judicial power, including that of final adjudication, vested with the HKSAR, is to be exercised by the Judiciary independently, free from interference. Regardless of the occupation, political belief or background of the persons involved in the case, all cases are dealt with in an equal and impartial manner. In this case, the court emphasised that the HKNSL does not have retrospective effect and that Wong Chi-fung was not punished for his pre-HKNSL acts or activities, nor for his political ideology.

The LegCo spokesperson pointed out that in this case, Wong Chi-fung has pleaded guilty to the charge and the relevant facts of the offence, and the court has also fully considered various legal principles and evidence before handing down its sentence in accordance with the law. However, some external forces with ulterior motives have disregarded facts and evidence, and under the pretext of this case, wantonly attacked the HKSAR's work in safeguarding national security, human rights, freedom and the rule of law, and even demanded the unconditional release of Wong Chi-fung and the withdrawal of his charges. The LegCo spokesperson emphasised that this is a serious undermining of the rule of law.

The LegCo spokesperson further pointed out that some Western countries have long used "human rights" and "freedom" as pretexts to make irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs, which are purely China's internal affairs. Regarding the HKSAR's efforts to combat crimes endangering national security in accordance with the law, the standards they hold are completely different from those they adopt when dealing with severe social unrest in their own places. Such double standards completely violate international political ethics and are totally unacceptable, and are strongly condemned.

The LegCo spokesperson stated that since the implementation of the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong society has restored stability and prosperity, and has continued to rank among the top globally in various international business and competitiveness rankings, including maintaining its top ranking as the world's freest economy, ranking first globally in cross-border wealth management, and recording an increase in its global competitiveness ranking for three consecutive years to rank second globally this year. The latest data from the HKSAR Government shows that Hong Kong's gross domestic product in the third quarter of this year registered a notable year-on-year growth estimate of 5.2 per cent, and the economic outlook remains positive. Regarding the rule of law, the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation was established in Hong Kong last year, providing efficient mediation services for the international community; the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law has also recently established its Asia-Pacific Liaison Office in Hong Kong, further demonstrating Hong Kong's leading position as an international legal hub.

The LegCo spokesperson reiterated that it is an inherent duty for the HKSAR, including LegCo, to firmly safeguard national security, and once again urged the relevant Western countries, anti-China media, overseas organisations and politicians to squarely face the serious nature and objective facts of cases endangering national security in Hong Kong, and immediately cease interfering in China's internal affairs and HKSAR affairs.

Source: AI-found images