Hong Kong Maritime Week, a major annual event of the maritime and port industries in Hong Kong, was held Nov. 19-25, bringing together maritime leaders home and abroad for a week of activities that reinforce Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime center.
The event, which showcases the Hong Kong maritime industry, had a theme of “Recharging the Maritime Industry” this year, reflecting what the events organizers say is the resilience and vision that define the city’s maritime sector.
In a speech during the Nov. 20 opening ceremony, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said that the “one country, two systems” principle has bestowed upon Hong Kong its unique role as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder,” entrusting Hong Kong with the steadfast support from the central government and connectivity with the world.
The principle is that despite the practice of socialism in mainland China, Hong Kong, which was previously a colony of the United Kingdom, could retain its established system under a high degree of autonomy for up to 50 years after reunification, or 2047.
Under the principle, Hong Kong continues to have its own governmental system, legal, economic and financial affairs, including trade relations with foreign countries, all of which are independent from those of mainland China.
The HKMW 2023 opening ceremony was followed by the Main Forum of the Third World Maritime Merchants Forum, an anchor event of Maritime Week 2023.
During the forum, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) and Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Lam Sai-hung, said the city plans to continue giving “full play to Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of being simultaneously connected to both the Mainland and the world.”
“We are working closely with our peers to promote the overall competitiveness of the region,” he continued. “Our collaboration with the China Merchants Group to organize the long-anticipated World Maritime Merchants Forum is a clear illustration of our strength, bringing the very platform for high-level meetings of brilliant minds from global shipping, political and business spheres.”
Among the signature activities of HKMW 2023 were the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference, with the theme “Future-Proofing Supply Chains: Diversification, Decarbonization, Digitalization.”
Also featured was the aforementioned Third World Maritime Merchants Forum, themed as “Riding the Wave,” and highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by the shipping industry amid major changes of the global economy and trade.
M/V Yu Kun, the nation’s first developed ocean-going vessel dedicated for maritime training managed by China’s Dalian Maritime University (DMU), visited Hong Kong during HKMW 2023.
“Through visiting m/v Yu Kun and face-to-face exchange with DMU delegation members, members of the public may gain a better understanding about seafarers’ daily life on board, maritime education and ship technologies nowadays,” the event’s organizers said in a statement.
In all, close to 50 activities, organized by local, mainland China and international marine institutes in support of HKMW 2023, took place over the course of the seven-day event. The themes range from building up the maritime talent pool, education and career, development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), green shipping, maritime insurance, maritime law and arbitration, maritime technology, ports and logistics, ship finance, ship leasing under Hong Kong’s preferential ship leasing tax regime and ship management.
2023 marked the seventh annual Hong Kong Maritime Week. The event is organized by the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board. Co-organizers of the event include the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, together with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Invest Hong Kong as partners.
More details about HKMW 2023 are available at www.hkmw.hk.