STL signs MOU on establishing "brother port" relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai at North Bund Forum (with photos)
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The 2026 North Bund Forum is themed "Common Challenge, Shared Mission - Promoting the Resilient Development of Global Shipping & Aviation". Ms Chan attended the opening ceremony and the international shipping forum to exchange views with other participants on global maritime developments and enhancing collaboration.
During the release of major achievements at the opening ceremony, Ms Chan and the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, Mr Xiao Hui, witnessed by Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Zhang Yong and Vice-Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government Mr He Qing, signed the MOU on Strategic Cooperation between Hong Kong and Shanghai on Further Promoting High-Quality Collaborative Maritime Development, marking the official establishment of a "brother port" strategic partnership between Hong Kong and Shanghai. The two cities will strengthen collaboration in smart port and maritime development, promote the co-ordinated development of container liners' operations and supporting sectors, advance the development of green and low-carbon port and shipping, foster the synergised development of high-end maritime services, promote the co-ordinated development of the intermodal logistics sector, strengthen the cultural and industry exchanges of maritime sector, and enhance the nurturing of and exchanges among maritime professionals.
Ms Chan said, "Both Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address released last month placed significant emphasis on maritime development, including the expansion of our partner port network and to promote the establishment of a 'brother port' relationship with Shanghai within this year. I am pleased to welcome the good news a month later today, which will further deepen our collaboration with Mainland ports.
"Building a 'brother port' strategic partnership collaboration platform between Hong Kong and Shanghai will help Hong Kong expand its network of co-operation with Mainland ports, jointly enhancing the global competitiveness and influence of the country's two major international shipping centres. Hong Kong and Shanghai will work hand in hand to promote the co-ordinated developments of the shipping sector, leveraging the two sides' unique advantages in the global shipping network to further boost port competitiveness and impetus for growth."
Ms Chan also announced that the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), at an exchange session on shipping co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong to be held on the second day of the forum tomorrow (October 21), will witness the official launch of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Express by a shipping company. She noted that she is pleased to see the launch of the demonstration project of co-ordinated development between the shipping industries and ports of the two places, which is a concrete outcome of co-operation under the newly established "brother port" relationship between the two sides. While deepening co-operation with the "brother port", the Government is also striving to broaden Hong Kong's "circle of friends" in the international maritime community. The TLB is actively working towards announcing the second batch of partner ports during Hong Kong Maritime Week, an annual flagship event to be held next month, to further strengthen exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and strategically significant ports both domestically and abroad.
In the afternoon, Ms Chan visited a leading local port enterprise to learn about its operations and the latest developments in smart ports and green shipping. Ms Chan met with representatives of the enterprise, which operates the port with the largest container throughput worldwide, to exchange views on strengthening ties and co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong in areas such as promoting port services, with a view to jointly advancing the development of the national maritime and port industry.
Ms Chan concluded her visit and departed for Hong Kong in the evening.
Ends/Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:56
Issued at HKT 17:56
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