Hong Kong Airport Authority Acquires Zhuhai Airport, Strengthening Aviation Cooperation in Greater Bay Area

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

Tourism Strategy Committee holds third meeting

​The Tourism Strategy Committee, chaired by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, held its third meeting today (January 10). At the meeting, members exchanged views on the newly announced Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry 2.0 (Blueprint 2.0) and Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development. Representatives from the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) also reported Hong Kong's latest tourism performance and relevant statistics to the members.

Miss Law said, "The Blueprints on tourism as well as culture and creative industries have further demonstrated the integration of culture and tourism, reflecting realisation of 'shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism'. Apart from the Government's policy support and promotion, the trade needs to identify, respond to and steer changes. We call for the trade to join hands with the Government to implement the four development strategies and 133 measures set out in Blueprint 2.0, making good use of Hong Kong's rich and unique cultural and tourism resources to develop more tourism products with Hong Kong characteristics, enhance the quality of catering and tourism services etc., and thereby reinvigorating Hong Kong's tourism industry."

She added, "Benefitting from the Central Government's various policies to support Hong Kong, including the resumption and expansion of the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme for Shenzhen, and the efforts put in by the trade, the city was generally buzzling with people in December last year. Related sectors in Hong Kong, such as retail and catering, shared that the overall business environment was thriving. To welcome the Chinese New Year (CNY), we have prepared a series of festive mega events. The HKTB has also launched a CNY travel guide to welcome Mainland and overseas visitors to Hong Kong to celebrate the festival and experience the strong CNY vibes in Hong Kong (including Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, fabulous fireworks, the Chinese New Year Raceday and the Chinese New Year Cup on the first four days of CNY respectively, as well as CNY fairs, temples visits, popular attractions and other festive activities)."

The CSTB published the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development and Blueprint 2.0 in late November and late December last year respectively. Culture and tourism being intertwined, the diversified environment with a blend of Chinese and Western cultures, the world-class cultural facilities, as well as the diverse mega events and performances constitute important tourism resources in Hong Kong. These attract visitors with different interests, promoting the integrated development of culture and tourism. During the meeting, members welcomed the two blueprints and put forward different opinions.

The number of visitor arrivals increased steadily in 2024, with the total number of visitor arrivals reaching about 45 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 31 per cent and meeting our expectation. The number of Mainland and non-Mainland visitor arrivals recorded a year-on-year increase of 27 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.

The Tourism Strategy Committee is tasked to provide the Government with strategic advice and foster collaboration among different stakeholders in tourism and related sectors for further promoting the long-term and sustainable development of Hong Kong's tourism industry. Members include prominent figures and key leaders from the tourism and other related sectors such as culture, sports, retail and catering.

Tourism Strategy Committee holds third meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Tourism Strategy Committee holds third meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases