Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan, leading a Hong Kong Logistics Development Council delegation, started a visit to Chengdu and Chongqing today.

The trip aims to promote Hong Kong’s strengths in logistics, foster industry exchanges, and explore collaboration opportunities in logistics and shipping.

Upon arrival in Chengdu, the delegation visited Chengdu Tianfu International Airport’s international cargo terminal to view the operations of an express cargo centre which commenced operation late last year, in order to understand its procedures for handling goods of cross-border e-commerce platforms.

The delegation later met Sichuan Port & Logistics Office Director Xie Wei to explore the potential in Hong Kong-Sichuan logistics collaboration.

The delegates were also briefed by representatives of the Sichuan Port & Shipping Investment Group on its work on constructing “logistics and trade ports”, “hub ports”, “industrial ports”, “digital intelligence ports” as well as “financial ports”.

In the evening, the delegation called on Sichuan’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Zhang Tao to exchange views on facilitating exchanges and collaborations between Hong Kong and Sichuan in logistics and transport.

Noting that Sichuan plays a leading role in the development of China’s western region, Ms Chan said: “Hong Kong has been attaching great importance to its economic and trade ties with Sichuan. I believe there is further room for more complementarity and collaboration in shipping and logistics between Hong Kong and Sichuan.”

The Chengdu-Shenzhen-Hong Kong scheduled rail-sea service was launched last week, enabling goods from Chengdu to reach Hong Kong via Shenzhen in as short as three days. Ms Chan said she believes Hong Kong and Sichuan can create an efficient and quality logistics corridor through strengthening logistics co-operation to facilitate the export of Sichuan’s goods to overseas markets.

The delegation departed for Chongqing this evening and will continue the visit tomorrow.