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
HKSAR Government strongly rejects malicious slander of Hong Kong's reputation as international financial centre by members of US House of Representatives
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (November 26) strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects a letter from members of the House of Representatives of the United States (US) to the US Secretary of the Treasury.
A spokesman for the Government solemnly states the following:
"The HKSAR Government strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects malicious slander of Hong Kong's reputation as an international financial centre in the letter. The allegations in the letter have no factual basis and are grossly unfounded. The letter is a crude and reprehensible attempt to spread lies and misinformation about Hong Kong for personal political gain.
"HKSAR Government has been enforcing the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) fully and vigorously to fulfil our international obligations. We do not implement unilateral sanctions imposed by other countries that constitute a flagrant violation of the international order based on international law and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
"The HKSARG has long been maintaining an effective mechanism for implementing the resolutions of the UNSC. That includes denying entry of vessels designated by the UNSC as well as suspicious vessels, keeping a close watch on and inspecting suspicious Hong Kong-based companies to prevent them from participating in activities evading UNSC sanctions, and participating in the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty through the Central People's Government. The effectiveness of our work has been well respected and recognised by our trading partners.
"Maintaining the integrity and robustness of our financial systems is high on the HKSAR Government's agenda. Our banks and other financial institutions adhere to international standards and best practices, including those on anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).
"Hong Kong has been recognised by the Financial Action Task Force, the international standard-setter on AML/CFT, to be overall compliant with the relevant international standards, with a robust legal framework and effective system in this area, especially in the identification and understanding of risks, law enforcement, asset recovery and international co-operation.
"Hong Kong continues to enjoy a high degree of autonomy under the 'one country, two systems' framework. Essential to this is maintaining the common law system, and a judiciary that exercises judicial powers independently. Hong Kong's rule of law is internationally recognised, well reflected in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. Hong Kong maintains a high ranking and continues to be ahead of some Western countries that often unreasonably criticise the rule of law and human rights situation of Hong Kong.
"Fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to a fair trial, continue to be protected by the Basic Law.
"Like many jurisdictions including the US, we are entitled to enact and implement laws to safeguard national security. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance was enacted earlier this year to fulfil our overdue constitutional obligation under Article 23 of the Basic Law. The Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance operate together to ensure a stable and predictable environment for our economy and the companies that make it thrive. The offences in the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance are clearly defined and have drawn reference to those in many other advanced economies.
"As a matter of fact, the international business community continues to have confidence in Hong Kong. A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong earlier this year noted that nearly 80 per cent of its members have confidence in Hong Kong's rule of law. Close to 70 per cent of the respondents indicated that their operations had not been affected by the Hong Kong National Security Law.
"The US has substantial economic interest in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, it registered a trade surplus of about US$270 billion with Hong Kong. Over 1 200 US companies operate in Hong Kong. If the US politicians insist on their acts, it will ultimately undermine the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US, harming the interests of the US and its companies."
