Opening remarks by STL at Routes World 2025 Host Party (English only) (with photo)
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Chairman Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dr Peter Lam), Chairman Fred (Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam), Steven (Managing Director of Routes, Mr Steven Small), Michael (Executive Vice President - Commercial Development of Informa Markets, Mr Michael Duck), Vivian (Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mrs Vivian Cheung), ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome you all to Hong Kong! I am so glad that we are able to change the welcoming reception to a farewell reception. Otherwise, I will not be able to see all of you and participate in this memorable event. Thank you again, Vivian.
I think most of you have had a very enjoyable stay in Hong Kong, despite some disruption brought by the super typhoon. But on the other hand, I am sure you have had a taste of our famous subtropical cyclone. You can also get a glimpse of the city's super efficiency and resilience in getting back to normal, including our beloved International Airport. I can share with you a few tips on how we can get back to normal after a severe typhoon.
With advanced preparations and the concerted efforts of different Government departments and the Airport Authority Hong Kong, we made different precautionary measures and advanced preparations. As far as the airport is concerned, we had devised a lot of contingency plans to ensure a sustainable and continual operation of the International Airport. Although we had to make a few adjustments to the incoming and outgoing flights, passenger safety is of utmost importance. On the other hand, for this round of severe weather, Vivian and her team had put in little gimmicks like dishing out some popcorns; candies; some goodies including blankets, water, to let our passengers, who might have to stay in the airport for a little while, feel the warmth and comfort that Hong Kong gives them.
Back to the Routes World 2025 today, which is the theme of this event, I am very thankful for the adaptiveness and also efficiency in making all sorts of adjustments to the arrangements, making the event a great success. With such a large crowd of guests and participants standing in front of me today, it reminds me of a part of our Chinese history. A great Chinese Admiral Zheng He (鄭和), who was well-known of his voyage, travelled to the modern-day Kenya, transforming all his routes into a vast network expansion which also facilitated the exchange of ideas. In many ways, I think all of you are making history today like he did. You are connecting and the event has brought together more than 2 500 participants from all over the world in renowned aviation industry to Hong Kong.
I know that over the past two days, there have been more than 9 000 meetings going round throughout the event, mapping out some new routes, fostering new friendships and new partnerships with different partners around the globe. In a way, we are making history, and we are shaping a new future for not only our skies, we also shape a new future for our economies and communities. Hong Kong is very ready and has prepared to welcome international conferences and events like Routes World. In fact, we look forward to having more of this kind of events in Hong Kong, to showcase our role as a world-class hub, not only for aviation, but also for innovation, idea exchange and collaboration.
Looking ahead, I would like to announce two things in which we can create new growth for aviation development in Hong Kong. First of all, the Hong Kong Government will lead the Airport Authority in developing negotiations and discussions with our major aviation partners, to bring together some new air services agreements. On the other hand, I know that the Airport Authority, with Fred and Vivian's leadership, has been putting in place a very visionary and energetic outreach team to discuss different business potentials for new airlines coming to Hong Kong. Secondly, I would like to tell you that today the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government has just announced the creation and establishment of a new advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Development of International Aviation Superhub. With this terminology, you can see the importance Hong Kong Government is attaching to develop Hong Kong into not just a normal aviation hub, but an international aviation superhub. With all of you here today assembling, I hope that we can work together to establish new alliance, to foster new relationships and overcome the various challenges posed by the changes in the global landscape, supply chain disruptions or airspace restrictions.
Apart from all this business routine, I would like to appeal to you to take a bit of your time this evening, and take a look at the environment surrounding you today. We are here in this magnificent M+ venue, where history and modernity converge. I am very grateful for the organiser, Informa Markets and also the Airport Authority Hong Kong, for making this event so memorable, and making this farewell event happened. Please don't forget to take your time to look at the magnificent Hong Kong skyline, in which the sky tonight is extremely clear, perhaps because the severe storm has just passed. No matter what storms are ahead of us, we will eventually see a clear blue sky. Thank you very much for attending this farewell event, and I hope you are having an enjoyable evening. Once again, welcome you all to Hong Kong!
Ends/Friday, September 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:12
Issued at HKT 22:12
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