Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung today attended the 11th China Air Finance Development (DFTP) Summit in Tianjin.

Themed “Openness Leads, Multi-dimensions Surge, New Chances for China’s Air Finance”, this year’s summit brought together representatives from various sectors of the industry to discuss opportunities and challenges in the country’s aviation financing, as well as current and future trends among international aircraft leasing enterprises.

Addressing the summit’s opening ceremony, Mr Lam said the global aircraft leasing market has changed rapidly in recent years. The Dongjiang Free Trade Port Zone (FTPZ) is the largest hub for aircraft leasing in China and the second largest in the world. Delivery of the domestic C919 aircraft has also brought greater momentum to Dongjiang’s rapid growth.

Mr Lam said co-operation between Hong Kong and Dongjiang will provide new impetus and opportunities for the development of the aircraft leasing industry.

“Hong Kong, together with the Dongjiang Free Trade Port Zone, will establish closer co-operation to jointly promote the development of the aircraft leasing industry, offering more opportunities and options for airlines around the world and making more contributions to the global air transport industry.”

At a meeting with representatives of the Tianjin Dongjiang FTPZ Administrative Commission and aircraft leasing and financing companies, Mr Lam briefed them on Hong Kong’s advantages in the aviation industry, including the latest developments in the city’s aircraft leasing policies and its preferential tax regime.

Having concluded his two-day visit to Beijing and Tianjin, Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong this evening.