SCED attends APEC Ministerial Meeting held virtually
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, last evening (November 3) attended the 37th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting held virtually through video conference.
Under the theme for APEC China this year - "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together", Mr Yau at a discussion session highlighted that member economies must act together through enhanced dialogue and co-operation to achieve shared prosperity amid an ever-changing landscape and rapid technological advancement.
Citing digital transformation as an example, Mr Yau said that practical co-operation will continue to be required among member economies to harness their respective strengths in digital technologies in a people-centred and inclusive manner. Domestically, Hong Kong is strengthening its research capacity in frontier technologies, and launching programmes to promote public awareness and responsible use of AI. Hong Kong looks forward to sharing its experiences and engaging in mutual learning with other member economies in these areas.
Meanwhile, Mr Yau called on member economies to continue to strengthen connectivity in various areas, enabling the efficient flow of goods, services, capital, and people, while narrowing development gaps and creating opportunities for all sectors across the region. He added that any of the co-operation among member economies should continue to be guided by the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action.
At another discussion session, Mr Yau shared his insights on how to enhance economic integration for new growth in the region. Noting that enhancing economic integration has been the core objective of APEC, he said that one of the directions is to continue to advance the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).
"As part of Hong Kong's wider efforts to contribute to the FTAAP agenda, we have been actively seeking early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. We welcome the establishment of the Accession Working Group for Hong Kong in September this year, and hope that our accession could inject fresh impetus into advancing the FTAAP agenda," Mr Yau said.
Mr Yau also highlighted the importance of enhancing co-operation to deal with the seismic changes in the trade landscape. As technological advancement is increasingly transforming the conduct of international trade, deepening co-operation on this front is critical to promoting cross-border trade and investment. He said that to this end, Hong Kong fully supports the proposed Trade Digitalization Cooperation Framework as a guiding document for future co-operation.
In addition, Mr Yau stressed that the multilateral trading system must remain the foundation of regional integration and international trade. "We call on member economies to continue supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s reform agenda, incorporating plurilateral initiatives into the WTO framework, finding a permanent solution for the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, and facilitating the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce," he said.
SCED attends APEC Ministerial Meeting held virtually Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKIA launches new "Linking the Trunk and Branch, Connecting Urban and Remote" service linking Hangzhou and Wuhan to offer passengers "one ticket, through-checked baggage" to global destinations via Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) today (November 3) officially launched the "Linking the Trunk and Branch, Connecting Urban and Remote" facilitated transit service. Upon the full implementation of the new service, passengers from Mainland cities, even when transferring between flights operated by different airlines, can enjoy a seamless "one-stop" service comprising "one ticket, one check-in, and through-checked baggage to the final destination", allowing them to travel to worldwide destinations effortlessly via Hong Kong. Overseas passengers can also enjoy reciprocal arrangements to travel to different Mainland cities with ease via Hong Kong.
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, together with Deputy Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Mr Han Jun; Deputy Director of the Third Bureau of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council, Mr Wang Jinyu; the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Vic Yau; the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Ms Clara Wong; and the Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Mr Fred Lam, attended the launch ceremony today. In her speech, Ms Chan said that this new service is a crucial step in implementing Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and integrating into and serving the overall national development. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the CAAC for its full support and policy guidance, which fully demonstrates Hong Kong's unique hub role of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world, underpinned by an extensive international aviation network.
She added that, the "Linking the Trunk and Branch, Connecting Urban and Remote" service enables Hong Kong to align with the national aviation network development by linking the Mainland's "internal circulation" aviation network with Hong Kong's "external circulation" international aviation network, thereby upgrading Hong Kong from its previous role as a "super connector" to a pivotal point in the country's dual circulation strategy.
The new arrangement will enhance services across three key areas:
- Passengers travelling from smaller Mainland cities to overseas destinations through Hong Kong will only need to complete a single check-in procedure. Their baggage will be checked through from the origin to their overseas destination, eliminating the need for baggage reclaim or re-checking in Hong Kong;
- Passengers travelling from overseas destinations to smaller Mainland cities can enjoy reciprocal arrangements, connecting seamlessly to the Mainland through HKIA;
- The arrangement will enhance connectivity between Hong Kong and Mainland airports, highlighting the efficiency and role of Hong Kong as an international aviation hub, further maximising HKIA's function in connecting the Mainland and the world.
In the first phase, HKIA will roll out two brands, namely "Hangzhou-Hong Kong" and "Wuhan-Hong Kong" Transfer Services, leveraging the close ties between Hong Kong and Zhejiang and Hubei provinces:
- "Hangzhou-Hong Kong" Transfer Services: Hangzhou and Hong Kong have long maintained close collaboration in economy, trade and technology.Building upon this mature partnership and high-frequency shuttle flights, passengers can access the world through Hong Kong's dense international flight network.
- "Wuhan-Hong Kong" Transfer Services: Wuhan, traditionally known as the "thoroughfare to nine provinces", serves as a core dual hub for high-speed rail and aviation in the central region of the country, and is also a popular destination for Hong Kong people for business and tourism. The "Wuhan-Hong Kong" Transfer Serviceswill further connect Wuhan's high-speed rail network with Hong Kong's international aviation network.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to work closely with the CAAC, the AAHK, airlines and relevant Mainland authorities to further expand the coverage of this facilitation service, with a view to attracting more Mainland and overseas passengers to transit through Hong Kong, thereby contributing to the country's high-level opening up and consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub.
HKIA launches new "Linking the Trunk and Branch, Connecting Urban and Remote" service linking Hangzhou and Wuhan to offer passengers "one ticket, through-checked baggage" to global destinations via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKIA launches new "Linking the Trunk and Branch, Connecting Urban and Remote" service linking Hangzhou and Wuhan to offer passengers "one ticket, through-checked baggage" to global destinations via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKIA launches new "Linking the Trunk and Branch, Connecting Urban and Remote" service linking Hangzhou and Wuhan to offer passengers "one ticket, through-checked baggage" to global destinations via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKIA launches new "Linking the Trunk and Branch, Connecting Urban and Remote" service linking Hangzhou and Wuhan to offer passengers "one ticket, through-checked baggage" to global destinations via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKIA launches new "Linking the Trunk and Branch, Connecting Urban and Remote" service linking Hangzhou and Wuhan to offer passengers "one ticket, through-checked baggage" to global destinations via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKIA launches new "Linking the Trunk and Branch, Connecting Urban and Remote" service linking Hangzhou and Wuhan to offer passengers "one ticket, through-checked baggage" to global destinations via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKIA launches new "Linking the Trunk and Branch, Connecting Urban and Remote" service linking Hangzhou and Wuhan to offer passengers "one ticket, through-checked baggage" to global destinations via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
