Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Housing Visits California
Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng visited Los Angeles and San Francisco from September 7 to September 14.
The Secretary, who is also Chairman of the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council, joined a 10-member delegation of the Council, who was in the United States, to promote Hong Kong as a premier logistics hub. Members of the Council include the Honorable Miriam Lau, Legislative Councilor representing the transport constituency; Mr. C.C. Tung, Chairman and CEO of Orient Overseas (International) Ltd; Mr Willy Lin, Chairman of the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council; Ms Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 Hong Kong; and Mr. Leung Kong-yui, Senior Program Director of School of Professional and continuing Education, the University of Hong Kong.
The Honorable Miriam Lau and Mr. C.C. Tung also joined Mr. Daniel Gardner, CEO, RF International & Ocean World Lines Inc., subsidiaries of Pacer International Inc. and Mr. Leo Lin, Chief Financial Officer, Monster Cable Products on a panel to discuss the services and opportunities that Hong Kong as the premier regional logistics hub can offer to the U.S. businesses at a seminar on September 8.
The seminar, titled “Hong Kong: Regional Logistics Hub – the Asian Link in Your Global Supply Chain” was held at Long Beach. About 200 guests attended. It was followed by a luncheon featuring the Secretary.
At the business luncheons on September 8 and 9 at Long Beach and San Francisco respectively, Ms Cheng delivered keynote speeches to update the local business communities on Hong Kong’s distinctive position in the provision of high value-added logistics services.
“For those with an eye on investment in logistics, or users of logistics service, recent strategic development of Hong Kong as a logistics hub also deserves special attention. The 12th Five-Year Plan for the National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China, promulgated in March 2011, contains, for the first time, a chapter dedicated to Hong Kong, and elaborates on the significant role Hong Kong plays in the development strategy of our country. The chapter strongly supports Hong Kong’s development as a high-value goods inventory management and regional distribution center.
“Reliable security, quality assurance and strong intellectual property protection have made Hong Kong the ideal place for the distribution of high-value goods, and enabled our efficient operators to move up the value chain, providing customized services and supply chain solutions to clients from around the world,” Ms. Cheng said.
The Secretary said Hong Kong is an import gateway to China. About 70 percent of the cargo handled in Hong Kong is related to the South China region, and around 90 percent of the re-exports either come from or are destined for China. With the backing of the Chinese Government, Hong Kong will continue to play an important role in meeting the demand of niche markets involving high quality logistics services in China.
Hong Kong also have many advantages in serving the Asia Pacific region. On the aviation side, the Hong Kong International Airport handled a record high of 4.13 million tonnes of cargo in 2010 and became the world’s busiest air cargo hub. To meet the anticipated growth in demand, a new air cargo terminal is being constructed and is expected to commence operation in early 2013.
On the maritime side, the Hong Kong Port was the third busiest container port globally in 2010 in terms of throughput. To cater for the anticipated growth of port throughput, Hong Kong Government is now studying the feasibility of developing a new container terminal. “We are also proceeding with a project to dredge the Kwai Chung Container Port and its approach to 17 meters so that we can accommodate the new generation ultra-large container vessels at all tides,” said Ms Cheng.
On land connectivity, a 29.6-km-long Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is being constructed. On completion in 2016, the bridge will be the longest bridge-cum-tunnel dual-three-lane vehicular sea crossing in the world.
In addition to speaking at the luncheons, the Secretary also met industry leaders and visit leading logistics companies in California to explore opportunities for enhanced co-operation between the U.S. and Hong Kong in meeting the increasing demand for quality logistics services in Asia.
Following the conclusion of the logistics mission, Ms Cheng continued her visit in San Francisco and attended the 7th Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Transportation Ministerial Meeting and APEC Ministerial Conference on Transportation and Energy.
While in San Francisco, Ms Cheng took the opportunity to visit two local transport authorities, the Transbay Joint Project Authority and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. She was also briefed on a pilot parking management system “SFpark Project” that combines new technologies and policies to improve parking and congestion in San Francisco. Ms Cheng also visited Treasure Island where Mr. Michael Tymoff, Deputy Director of Redevelopment, Treasure Island Development Project Authority briefed her about the Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island Development Project.