Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan will fly to Beijing on 22 September to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transportation Ministerial Meeting (TMM) and the Global Sustainable Transport Forum. The high-level gathering will bring together transport chiefs from 21 APEC economies to discuss post-pandemic connectivity, digitalisation of border procedures and decarbonisation of freight and passenger transport. Although Hong Kong is a separate customs territory within China, the city participates in APEC as “Hong Kong, China”. Chan is expected to present Hong Kong’s progress on smart mobility—including the city-wide rollout of e-Channel facial verification gates and the newly announced “Go Hong Kong” mobile enrolment app for frequent visitors—and to lobby for wider mutual-recognition of trusted-traveller programmes across the region. Industry sources say she will also meet mainland counterparts to fine-tune customs and immigration procedures at the soon-to-open Huanggang Port, which will adopt full co-location clearance. For multinational companies with Asia-Pacific operations the meeting matters: APEC transport communiqués often set the direction for regional harmonisation of electronic documents (e-CIM, e-B/L) and air-services liberalisation. Any consensus on greener aviation fuels or regional carbon-offset standards could shape future compliance costs for corporate travel programmes headquartered in Hong Kong. Practical takeaway for mobility managers: keep an eye on the joint statement expected on 23 September. If, as expected, ministers endorse mutual recognition of digital health and travel credentials, this could shorten pre-departure document checks for business travellers transiting through Hong Kong International Airport as early as 2027.
Source: HKSAR Government Press Release
