[Explanation] On November 1, Hong Kong's first Greater Bay Area International Shipping Forum was held at the Convention and Exhibition Center in Wan Chai.
The theme is "New Leap in the New Era".
The forum conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions around shipping, ports, logistics, and maritime affairs in an "online + offline" approach.
[Explanation] The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Carrie Lam, said in his speech that the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the outline of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Plan both proposed to support Hong Kong as an international shipping center, especially supporting Hong Kong’s development of high value-added, professional Shipping services, and provide such services to mainland enterprises.
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Today's forum provides an ideal platform for the industry to share insights on the development of maritime transport, especially thinking about how Hong Kong should seize the huge opportunities brought by the development of the Greater Bay Area.
In 2020, the Greater Bay Area will have a population of approximately 86 million, with a regional GDP of nearly US$1.7 trillion, and it has an important strategic position in the overall development of the country.
Cities in the region are complementary and are expected to give play to their respective comparative advantages and drive the overall development of the region.
[Explanation] Zhao Shiqing, the convener of the Greater Bay Area International Shipping Forum, said in an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency that Hong Kong should make full use of its inherent advantages and national policies to further consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international shipping center under the challenges brought about by the epidemic.
[Concurrent] Zhao Shiqing, Convenor of the Greater Bay Area International Shipping Forum
Under the "14th Five-Year Plan", the location of the three centers in Hong Kong is very clear. We are not only an aviation center, but also a financial center and an international trade center. Then shipping itself is a complex. We (Hong Kong) have Many related industries, including high-quality financial services, legal services, and so on.
[Explanation] Zhao Shiqing expressed that he hopes that future forums will not only be held in Hong Kong, but also be held in other cities in the Greater Bay Area, so as to promote better communication and exchanges between the flow of people and information in the Greater Bay Area.
[Concurrent] Zhao Shiqing, Convenor of the Greater Bay Area International Shipping Forum
Today is the first day of the Greater Bay Area International Shipping Forum, so we hope that the future Greater Bay Area International Shipping Forum will become a very long forum once a year.
Not only in Hong Kong, but I hope to return to other mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area (for hosting) next year, to transfer our information flow, the flow of people, and our collective wisdom.
Reporter Liang Yuan from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: [Sun Jingbo]