Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at International Railway Safety Council 2025 today (November 26):

Honourable Deputy Administrator Wang Qiming (Deputy Administrator of the National Railway Administration of the People's Republic of China), Dr Rex Auyeung (Chairman of MTR Corporation), Dr Ann Mills (Core Group Secretary of the International Railway Safety Council), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. It's a great pleasure to welcome you to Hong Kong and the 35th annual conference of the International Railway Safety Council. Hong Kong last held this prestigious event in 2017, and we are delighted to welcome you back to Asia's world city.

     Hong Kong is committed to a sustainable, inclusive future built on international co-operation. We take pride in serving as Asia's premier gateway city, bridging people, commerce, education and culture across the region and around the world.

     Just last week, we concluded our annual Maritime Week. It attracted some 18 000 people from all over the world and featured more than 50 events, reinforcing our role as a global transport centre and premier hub for mega conferences and events.

     A key part of that role is integrated transport, and I'm pleased to tell you, we are strengthening the road connections that complement our rail network. Next month, on December 21, the Yau Ma Tei section of our new Central Kowloon Bypass will open. It's a dual, three-lane, 4.7-kilometre carriageway designed to bypass congested transport corridors and reduce peak-hour journey time between Yau Ma Tei and Kowloon Bay from 30 minutes to just five, thereby enhancing the entire transit system.

     This week, we are proud to host you, and this international gathering, counting more than 300 industry players from some 30 countries and regions. You are transport ministers and officials, railway safety regulators and operators, consultants, manufacturers and many other professionals devoted to the railway industry.

      As urbanisation accelerates and the demand for public transportation grows, expectations of speed, sustainability and service excellence continue to rise. Yet, at the heart of these demands, safety remains the bedrock of public trust – the foundation upon which railways drive sustainable development and prosperity.

     Which makes the theme of this year's conference, "Advancing Railway Safety through Innovations and Collaborations", particularly relevant.

     The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government works closely with the MTR Corporation, one of the world's safest and most reliable railway operators, to develop innovative technology applications that enhance the operational efficiency and safety of our railways.

     Cross-boundary rail services between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland entered a new era in 2018, when the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link began operations. Hong Kong is now seamlessly connected to the mainland's high-speed rail network, which spans over 48 000 kilometres, creating entirely new opportunities for travel, trade and economic integration.

     With 96 destinations accessible from Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station, and with streamlined immigration clearance procedures, the Express Rail Link has significantly enhanced passenger convenience, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a regional logistics and transportation hub.

     The Greater Bay Area is central to Hong Kong's future and our deepening integration with the Chinese Mainland. The cluster city development counts 11 cities – nine in Guangdong Province, including Shenzhen, together with Hong Kong and Macao, and a collective population exceeding 86 million.

     Under the concept of developing "Greater Bay Area on the Rail", the Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments are collaborating on two cross-boundary railway projects, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu – Qianhai) and the Northern Link Spur Line.

     These cross-boundary railway projects will seamlessly connect the metro networks of Hong Kong and Shenzhen within a decade. And that will boost the Greater Bay Area's connectivity and bolster industry confidence in establishing operations here.

     The progress we are driving in the Greater Bay Area is built upon our country's, China's formidable capabilities. China has emerged as a global leader in railway development. Its high-speed rail network, now the largest and fastest in the world, is a testament to the country's technological innovation and operational excellence.

     Hong Kong supports our country's railway initiative and its mission to promote international connectivity, safety and innovation. And we are honoured to work with our mainland and global partners to advance railway development.

     We are formulating new "Hong Kong Railway Standards" by incorporating world-class specifications, including those of our country, aiming to serve as the Greater Bay Area standards and potentially new global standards, facilitating broader adoption of Chinese Mainland technologies and innovative methods in Hong Kong's railway development.

     Down the tracks, the railway industry faces numerous challenges, from maintaining safety standards to addressing cybersecurity and other emerging risks. While artificial intelligence, big data and other technologies offer transformative potential, they also demand vigilance and collaboration.

     This annual conference helps us identify and respond to those challenges, inspiring innovation and strengthening global partnerships.

     More than a mode of transport, railways serve as a powerful engine driving connectivity, resilience and progress. By prioritising safety, embracing innovation and deepening collaboration, I am confident that our industry will continue to enhance lives and connect countries and communities around the world.

     I am grateful to the organisers of this year's International Railway Safety Council conference, China's National Railway Administration, the Hong Kong SAR's Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the MTR Corporation, for their dedicated efforts in making this event possible.

     I wish you all a rewarding conference and a memorable stay in Hong Kong. Make time, too, to enjoy our city, the world's rising East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Thank you.

Ends/Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 9:48

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