Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
During the Environment & Sustainability Committee meeting on 10 July 2025, Andy Cornish and Michael Lau from Hong Kong Biodiversity Expert Group discussed the recent public consultation launched by the Government to update the strategic areas and actions for the next phase of Hong Kong’s Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP), as well as the recommendations submitted to the Government.
The Hong Kong Biodiversity Expert Group – comprising 130 experts from 67 organizations – met over a six-month period to advise on suitable priorities for the next BSAP in the coming years. In its report to the Government, 75 priority recommendations and 65 supporting recommendations have been made.
Dr Cornish and Dr Lau highlighted five priority areas of those recommendations, including initiative large-scale restoration of both terrestrial and marine ecosystem, significant scaling up of protection for Hong Kong’s coastal and marine ecosystems, increasing safeguards to protect Hong Kong’s most endangered species, mainstreaming biodiversity in business to engage the private sector in biodiversity conservation, and strengthening regulations on both legal and illegal wildlife trade.
In view of the latest developments in global and regional conservation initiatives, as well as considering the current local situation, and conditions and opportunities in the national context, the updated BSAP will strengthen Hong Kong’s position in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
2025/07/10
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The Strategic Role of Low-Cost Carriers in Hong Kong’s Aviation Future
CEO 123 Tell Me More
On 9 July, Jeanette Mao, CEO of HK Express, guided us through the low-cost carrier’s (LCC) ascent since its launch in 2013.
Speaking with Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung during the “CEO 123 Tell Me More” talk, she reflected on her career in Hong Kong’s aviation industry after arriving as a scholarship student from Shanghai, and unpacked the crucial role of LCCs in driving Hong Kong’s economic transformation.
With its “Gotta Go!” credo, HK Express (owned by Cathay Pacific) served over six million passengers last year – a 40% increase year-on-year. The goal? To become Asia’s best LCC. The data certainly speaks for itself: HK Express was ranked the world’s fastest-growing airline in 2024 by OAG, as well as one of the world’s best LCCs in February 2025.
“The key,” Jeanette explained, “is cost efficiency. The idea is to offer our customers value for money through affordable fares and seamless air travel, while pioneering routes to new destinations.” She also highlighted future opportunities for the city, thanks to Hong Kong International Airport’s three-runway system, and the growing demand across the Greater Bay Area and the Mainland.
On the operational front, the airline introduced nine new routes in 2024 and added 11 more destinations this year. It now serves 13 locations in Japan, five in Korea and several in Southeast Asia – embodying the principle of not just following demand but creating it.
2025/07/09
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Hong Kong’s Role and Competitiveness as a Regional Logistics Hub
At the committee meeting on 8 July 2025, Samuel Lau, Managing Director – Integrated Logistics Asia of KLN Logistics Group Limited, also Vice Chairman of the Committee, and Kevin Lam, Director, Kerry eCommerce of KLN Logistics Group Limited, gave a presentation on Hong Kong’s role and competitiveness as a regional logistics hub among other Asian countries.
Mr Lau explored the current challenges faced by Hong Kong’s logistics industry due to geopolitical risks, shifting of manufacturing hubs, labour shortages and rising costs. Mr Lam shared the latest insights into the eCommerce market and explored Hong Kong’s advantages as a local and regional eCommerce hub.
With the ever-changing business environment, the latest updates and insights gained from this meeting will support and strengthen the ongoing development of the transport and logistics sectors.
2025/07/08
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Deep-dive on Hong Kong-Japan Business Development
It was a pleasure to welcome Haruyuki Yada, Director-General, Planning Department, JETRO Headquarters along with his colleagues, to the Chamber on July 7. They were greeted by Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung, General Committee member Edmond Yue, and Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam, who shared views on current investment landscape and business environment for foreign companies in Hong Kong.
The visitors were eager to get an in-depth analysis of the Hong Kong economy, along with the GBA, given the imposition of tariffs and other protective measures by the U.S. and how it is affecting business sentiment. Hong Kong has been diversifying its markets by expanding into emerging markets. Finance and professional business services are relatively unaffected by protectionism and continue to grow.
U.S. companies continue to maintain a strong presence in Hong Kong, with the number of their offices increasing steadily since 2022 to rank third -- behind only those from mainland China and Japan. Alam emphasized Hong Kong’s pivotal role within the Greater Bay Area, where businesses can benefit from streamlined processes, access to top-tier talent, favourable regulations, and an advantageous tax system. Additionally, the implementation of CEPA 2.0 in March 2025 provides foreign companies in Hong Kong with further opportunities to access preferential policies and expand into the mainland Chinese market.
2025/07/07
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