Welcome to My Blog
October 26, 2024
The Chief Executive announced the 2024 Policy Address last Wednesday. After a week of discussions, I learned that public are quite interested in areas such as the low-altitude economy and the Smart and Green Mass Transit System projects. As an international shipping centre, the Policy Address also includes significant reform measures in maritime policy and let me take this opportunity to highlight some of the key policies under our purview.
Initiating the Low-Altitude Economy
In March this year, our Country included "low-altitude economy" in the Report on the Work of the Government for the first time. The HKSAR Government will establish the "Working Group on Developing Low-Altitude Economy" as well, which will be chaired by the Deputy Financial Secretary, with myself as deputy to formulate development strategies and inter-departmental action plans, and map out plans to develop the required infrastructure and networks to create a favorable environment for the development of Hong Kong's "low-altitude economy."
At the beginning of next year, we will collaborate with industry and partner organisations to gradually press ahead with pilot projects, with the first phase primarily focusing on cargo delivery by drones. Other feasible application scenarios include search and rescue, surveys, inspection, maintenance, and aerial monitoring. Concurrently, we will revise relevant legislation. We would like to thank the Legislative Council members for their support and we will strive to pass the proposed legislative amendments during this legislative session to expand the applications of drones.
Reforming and Enhancing Maritime Services
The shipping business, composed of port and marine services, has been heavily emphasised in the Policy Address. Over the past few years, we have introduced an array of tax incentives tailored for the shipping industry, enhanced ship registration services, trained maritime talents etc. Over 1,100 companies related to port and shipping services providing various high-quality maritime services established their presence in Hong Kong. The efforts have started to bear fruits. Between 2019 and 2022, high-value maritime services, including ship broking, financing and leasing, maritime insurance, and maritime law and arbitration services, have grown by nearly 40% increase in terms of economic contribution. We will continue to enhance and promote tax concessions, strengthen our efforts in training maritime talents, and focus on encouraging leading or high-potential marine insurance business operators to establish their business in Hong Kong.
The "Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development Strategy," announced last year, set out a clear roadmap for the future development of the maritime industry. This year, we will reconstitute the existing "Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board" into the "Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board," which will serve as a high-level advisory body to assist the Government in formulating policies and long-term development strategies. Chaired by a non-official member, the new Board will have dedicated staff to undertake research and publicity work, propelling Hong Kong's shipping industry forward.
Additionally, the digitalised port community system, which began trial implementation last year, will be completed next year, facilitating the flow and sharing of data among stakeholders in the maritime, port, and logistics industries. Another exciting project is our commitment to develop Hong Kong into a green maritime centre. Next year, we will conduct the first ship-to-ship liquefied natural gas bunkering, with more detailed policy measures included in the "Action Plan on Green Marine Fuel Bunkering Action Plan," which will be announced by this year. Stay tuned!
After the Chief Executive announced the 2024 Policy Address last Wednesday, I explained the relevant transport and logistics policies at the press conference and in radio programs.
Accelerating Smart Green Collective Transport System
It was announced in last year’s Policy Address the construction of Smart and Green Mass Transit Systems in East Kowloon, Kai Tak, and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen. Thanks to the efforts of our colleagues in the Bureau and relevant public works departments, all three projects have been fully launched. For the Kai Tak project, we have adopted a "dual innovation" approach, which includes "policy innovation," whereby we will initiate early tenders and synchronise certain statutory procedures with the detailed design phase; and "approach innovation", exploring different procurement options and reviewing possibilities to compress the project from planning and design to construction. This may involve incorporating Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, as well as Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing method. My team’s dedications and innovations allow the relatively mature Kai Tak project to be completed three years earlier than we originally estimated and this kind of people-oriented, innovative thinking demonstrated by my colleagues really made me proud.
Supporting Kai Tak Sports Park Trial Operation
Speaking of Kai Tak, we are also aware of public concerns regarding traffic arrangements during major events at the Kai Tak Sports Park after its opening. We anticipated that many spectators will use the nearby Kai Tak Station and Sung Wong Toi Station of the Tuen Ma Line to access the Sports Park, while some may opt for the Kwun Tong Line services. The MTR Corporation will adjust its service frequency for the Tuen Ma Line and Kwun Tong Line during peak times and arrange special trains if need.
In addition to the convenient railway network, there are multiple bus routes in the vicinity of the Sports Park, including Prince Edward Road East and Shing Kai Road, commuting through Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. During major events, bus companies will operate special routes to meet the increased demand. The Transport Department’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will monitor traffic and transportation conditions before and after major events, coordinating with other departments and public transport operators, and will provide the public with timely updates on traffic and transport conditions. As the Chief Executive mentioned, many attendees at major events may be tourists who are generally unfamiliar with the area. We need to enhance safety measures and prepare contingency plans for various emergencies. The Kai Tak Sports Park will have its first trial operation event tomorrow in which we will fully support, with a view to ensuring our hospitality and efficient services can be shared to our visitors and citizens from now on.
Hong Kong is currently at a critical stage of economic transformation. The Chief Executive has proposed "seeking change through reform, sailing forward together, and unleashing our strengths." The Transport and Logistics Bureau’s innovative measures in different areas reflect our determination to forge ahead bravely and stand at the forefront. We have not yet detailed our aviation-related policy measures this week due to the limited length of this blog and let me share with you further next week.