The Hong Kong SAR government announced on the 16th that Hong Kong will further align with the national shipping strategy, take a series of measures such as financial linkage with shipping, improving multimodal transport, optimizing tax and ship registration arrangements, etc., consolidate and enhance the level of an international shipping center, and comprehensively build a global shipping capital. The Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Chen Meibao, pointed out at the special meeting of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council that Hong Kong is both a "safe harbor" and a "development harbor". Accelerating the development of Hong Kong as an international shipping center, improving the level of high-end shipping services, and safeguarding Hong Kong's governance and prosperity with high-level safety require the joint efforts of the whole society. In terms of logistics and shipping, the Budget proposes financial linkage with shipping. Hong Kong will further align with the national shipping strategy, enhance its position as an international shipping center, comprehensively build a global shipping capital, and attract more shipping companies to settle in Hong Kong; In terms of trade financing, the CargoX project of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has partnered with the Port Community System launched by the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Hong Kong International Airport Cargo Data Platform (HKIA Cargo). Currently, over 4000 companies have registered to use the Port Community System. Chen Meibao stated that as long as the industry and finance are successfully integrated, they can work together, leverage synergies, and promote Hong Kong to become a leading global trade financing center and supply chain hub. To enhance Hong Kong's core competitiveness, the Transport and Logistics Bureau is planning to revise the Import and Export Ordinance, expanding the current exemption permit system for air freight forwarding to include sea to air, idle sea, and sea freight forwarding. By creating a three-dimensional intermodal transportation system of "iron sea land river", we aim to improve multimodal transportation, extend the cargo hinterland to inland areas, and attract inland goods to be exported overseas through Hong Kong. Hong Kong's shipping service industry is well-developed, with over 1200 related enterprises providing high-end services such as ship management, brokerage, financing, maritime insurance, and law by 2025. The Transport and Logistics Bureau will optimize the existing tax incentives for shipping related activities and provide semi tax incentives for bulk commodity trade to drive demand for shipping and professional maritime services in Hong Kong. We will introduce a dual flag shipping system to adapt to the diversified operational models of international shipping companies, providing greater flexibility for international shipowners and operators. In addition, a green ship registration discount program will be launched to attract ships using green marine fuel to register in Hong Kong, promoting the green transformation of Hong Kong's registered fleet. (New Society)