Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, at the opening ceremony of the China Hong Kong Pavilion at Marintec China 2023 in Shanghai today (December 5):
 
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning and welcome to the opening ceremony of the China Hong Kong Pavilion.
      
     It brings me great pleasure to meet you all at the Marintec China 2023. It has been four years since the China Hong Kong Pavilion was last presented here in Shanghai. This year marks a remarkable restart in rekindling cross-boundary connections after the epidemic era. On behalf of the Transport and Logistics Bureau, as well as the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board of the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the support rendered by the Hong Kong TDC (Hong Kong Trade Development Council), the Marine Department (MD) and our fellow exhibitors for allowing us to gather at the China Hong Kong Pavilion to tell the good stories of Hong Kong.
      
     Hong Kong has long been recognised as one of the world's leading maritime hubs. With strong support from the Central Government, Hong Kong has continued to consolidate as an international shipping centre. As a further advancement, we will promulgate an action plan on maritime and port development strategy within this month to enhance high-end maritime services, facilitate transformation towards zero emission, promote smart initiatives and digitalisation in the maritime industry, and promote exchanges and collaboration among maritime industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and around the world.
      
     Hong Kong is positioned as the "super connector" between Mainland China and the global markets with good reasons. With our business-friendly environment, Common Law system, competitive tax regime, and excellent professional services, Hong Kong serves as a natural springboard for Mainland companies to go global and for overseas companies to tap into the vast market in China.
      
     The China Hong Kong Pavilion exemplifies these excellent advantages. This year, in addition to the MD's booth promoting our world-class Hong Kong Shipping Registry, we are featuring a diverse range of maritime-related companies, spanning marine equipment and ship manufacture, weather services, ship supply, and digital technology.
      
     Marintec China is the largest marine technology exhibition in Asia. I am glad to see our Hong Kong exhibitors using this opportunity to share their latest technological products and services with the global maritime community. The Hong Kong SAR Government is also playing its part. To further enhance port efficiency and reduce the time and cost of cargo handling, we are actively promoting the development of smart ports by setting up a digitalised port community system to facilitate the flow of data. We will commence a feasibility study on providing green methanol bunkering for both local and ocean-going vessels, with a view to promulgating an action plan next year. To realise these goals, new technology, including the ones we see around us today, will continue to play a critical role.
      
     I would like to thank all the exhibitors, organisers and industry representatives once again for all the hard work in setting up the China Hong Kong Pavilion. May I also wish Marintec China 2023 a great success and we welcome every one to visit the China Hong Kong Pavilion, and more importantly, to come to Hong Kong and tap into the unrivalled business opportunities we offer.
      
     Now, let me say a few words in Chinese.

Ends/Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Issued at HKT 12:32

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