STL witnesses signing of co-operation framework agreement between Hong Kong and Dongguan (with photos)
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     The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and the Dongguan Municipal People's Government today (February 16) signed a co-operation framework agreement (CFA) to implement and foster the long-term development of the "sea-air intermodal cargo transshipment" mode between the two cities.

     The CFA was signed in Hong Kong by the Chief Executive Officer of the AAHK, Mr Fred Lam, and the Mayor of Dongguan Municipal People's Government, Mr Lyu Chengxi, and witnessed by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; Deputy Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal People's Government Mr Liu Guangbin; the Secretary-General of the Dongguan Municipal People's Government, Mr Yan Jizong; and the Chairman of the AAHK, Mr Jack So, among others.

     Mr Lam said, "As the world's busiest cargo airport, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been the main gateway for air cargo going into and out of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The signing of the CFA by the AAHK and the Dongguan Municipal People's Government helps to further enhance bilateral co-operation on air cargo services, and will boost the cargo handling capacity under the 'sea-air intermodal cargo transshipment' mode, allowing more cargo to be transported to and from the GBA through Hong Kong, consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub and raising the overall competitiveness of the GBA."

     Under the "sea-air intermodal cargo transshipment" mode, the AAHK will set up an upstream HKIA logistics park in Dongguan and a new airside intermodal cargo pier within the restricted area of HKIA. Export cargo from the Mainland can go through security screening, palletisation and cargo acceptance in advance in the upstream logistics park, and then be transported seamlessly by sea in compliance with Hong Kong's air cargo security regulations and under secured conveyance to the cargo pier on the airside of HKIA for direct transshipment to overseas destinations, without repeating the screening procedures. Cargo from overseas may also be imported into the Mainland via Hong Kong through the reverse process. A pilot scheme was launched in end-2021 and has been operating smoothly.

     Mr Lam added, "Hong Kong is an international aviation hub with a wide international aviation network, while Dongguan is a premier manufacturing base in the GBA. Based on the existing mutually beneficial co-operation, the CFA effectively combines the edges of Hong Kong and Dongguan and creates synergy. It is yet another example of Hong Kong using its strengths to contribute to the needs of the country and integrate into the mutually beneficial development of the GBA."

Ends/Thursday, February 16, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:55

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