Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung today said Hong Kong’s status as a global aviation hub will be enhanced by allowing the Airport Authority to invest in the Zhuhai Airport.

Speaking on a radio programme about the Chief Executive’s 2020 Policy Address this morning, Mr Cheung said Hong Kong stands to benefit from the proposed equity injection and enjoy greater synergy following the integration of Hong Kong International Airport's global network and Zhuhai Airport’s domestic network.

He said: “Hong Kong in future will continue to be an international aviation hub. We've got, at the moment, direct flights to 220 destinations all over the world.

“Hong Kong therefore serves as the international link and Zhuhai in future will basically be an internal domestic flight hub. So we are talking about bringing passengers, for example, in future from various parts of China. They fly to Zhuhai and from Zhuhai, we bring them through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge straight to the Chek Lap Kok airport to fly to the world, or they can come to Hong Kong.”

On the Lantau Tomorrow Vision project which could provide the greatest amount of land among the many land supply options, Mr Cheung said it is a vital infrastructure project for the city.

“We’re talking about creating a third central business district.

“It is also located strategically, linking with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. So it’s a gateway to China and out of China as well, Guangdong in particular. It will provide jobs, provide housing. So we are talking about a long-term solution to Hong Kong's scarcity of land problem. It also will really help propel Hong Kong forward.”