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Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the dinner marking Cathay Pacific Airways' launch of direct passenger flights between Hong Kong and Moscow this evening (September 1, Moscow time):
Tony [ Tyler ], Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
STRASS ¡V vee ¡V tyeh (means ¡§Hello¡¨ in Russian). I am delighted to congratulate Cathay Pacific Airways on its launch of direct passenger flights between Hong Kong and Moscow.
I had the pleasure of taking the flight from Hong Kong to Moscow yesterday. It was a very enjoyable and convenient way to travel.
The timing of this launch of new direct flight services could hardly be better.
It was just last year that we introduced reciprocal visa-free travel arrangements between Russia and Hong Kong. The number of travellers in both directions has increased significantly since then.
Also, in the first half of this year our economy has rebounded fairly strongly from the global financial crisis. At the same time, bilateral trade between Hong Kong and Russia more than doubled in the first six months of this year compared to last year.
These new direct flights will give an additional lift to trade and tourism between us and continue the momentum towards closer ties ¡V which is also the primary aim of my visit to Moscow.
I am confident that there is huge potential for stronger relations between Hong Kong and Russia covering a wide range of topics from trade and finance to tourism and cultural exchanges.
Hong Kong is also the premier international gateway to the Mainland of China, the world's second largest economy.
Fast, convenient and high quality air services underpin Hong Kong's credentials as an internationally connected city.
Hong Kong International Airport is consistently ranked as one of the best airports in the world. Cathay Pacific is also rated among the best and busiest airlines for both passengers and cargo.
Our aviation network connects with more than 110 international cities. There are also flights to about 40 destinations in Mainland China. A total of about 90 airlines provide almost 6,000 flights every week.
Direct passenger flights to and from Moscow will make Hong Kong an even more effective connecting hub for business travellers and tourists from Russia to destinations in the Mainland, South East Asia and beyond. After all, Hong Kong is within five-hours flying time from half of the world's population.
On the topic of travel, allow me to briefly mention two major infrastructure projects now underway. These will enhance our physical links with the Mainland of China and open up new business opportunities.
One project is a high-speed rail line, which is expected to be commissioned in 2015. This line will plug into the Mainland's 16,000-kilometre express rail network. It will speed passengers to major Mainland cities in a fraction of the time it currently takes by train.
The other project is a massive 29-kilometre bridge connecting Hong Kong with the Special Administrative Region of Macao and the Mainland city of Zhuhai. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is expected to open in around 2016, providing a direct link to the western part of the dynamic Pearl River Delta.
Ladies and gentlemen, as key emerging economies, our two nations Russia and China, have much to gain from closer economic ties.
With new direct flights and improved transport infrastructure, Hong Kong can become an even more effective gateway to the Mainland for Russian investors and a preferred destination for tourists.
I wish Cathay Pacific every success with its new service to Moscow and look forward to stronger bilateral links between Hong Kong and Russia.
Thank you and Spasibo (Means "thank you" in Russian).
Ends/Thursday, September 2, 2010
Issued at HKT 01:39
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