On the 27th, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, stated in a meeting with international shipping industry leaders visiting Hong Kong that Hong Kong is an international shipping center and has maintained close contact with international shipping partners. The SAR government will continue to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with other cities in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area and international shipping organizations, injecting new impetus into the development of Hong Kong's shipping ports. On that day, the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, Asenio Dominguez, and the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, Guy Praten, together with their team, visited Hong Kong. Li Jiachao said that Hong Kong actively participates in conferences and committees organized by the International Maritime Organization, keeps abreast of the latest developments in global shipping and maritime fields, and timely updates local maritime laws to meet the organization's latest requirements and ensure compliance with its relevant regulations. The International Chamber of Shipping has also been supporting the development of Hong Kong's shipping industry for many years, and established its first overseas office in Hong Kong in 2019. Hong Kong ranks fourth globally in the 2023 Xinhua Baltic Sea: International Shipping Center Development Index report. Li Jiachao pointed out that this fully reflects Hong Kong's comprehensive strength in port conditions, maritime services, and business environment, which is sufficient to prove that Hong Kong's position as an international shipping center is widely recognized internationally. Li Jiachao introduced that the government clearly supports Hong Kong in enhancing its position as an international shipping center in the 14th Five Year Plan and the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area. At the end of last year, the SAR government released the Action Plan for Maritime and Port Development Strategies, proposing multiple strategies and specific action measures to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong ports and accelerate the development of Hong Kong's high-value shipping service industry cluster. The SAR government will make efforts to promote related work. (Lai Xin She)