(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai Airport co-operation will bring convenience for international passengers and provide a vast opportunity for Hong Kong’s economic growth and employment, Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan said today.

The Policy Address outlined that the central government supports Hong Kong International Airport's participation in the operation and development of the Zhuhai Airport through investment by way of share acquisition according to market principles, with a view to deepening the co-operation of the two airports in building a globally competitive world-class airport cluster.

Elaborating on the initiatives outlined in the Policy Address at a press conference this afternoon, Mr Chan said the move aims to enable a seamless, speedy and convenient transfer for international passengers to the Mainland, and vice versa.

“Hong Kong International Airport has altogether 220 flight destinations, of which 170 are overseas and 50 of them are connected with the Mainland, whereas the Zhuhai Airport has altogether 80-plus Mainland destinations.

“So in fact, we are connecting the global network with the domestic network. That provides a very convenient and speedy passage for anyone within the Mainland travelling via Hong Kong to any part of the world.”

Mr Chan added that the Hong Kong-Zhuhai Airport co-operation is also important for cargo.

“As we know, our country is the world's factory, so basically most of the goods that are carried through Hong Kong are transhipment.

“If we could enlarge our catchment area, be it for passenger or be it for cargo, that would provide a vast opportunity for Hong Kong to grow economically and for employment purposes, and that would also strengthen the position of Hong Kong in connection with Zhuhai Airport to serve better the entire Greater Bay Area development.”