The 4th International Forum on the Silk Road in the Air opened at the Asian International Expo in Hong Kong on April 2. Liang Zhenying, vice chairman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Chen Yuan, chairman of the Silk Road Research and Planning Center; Xie Fuzhan, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Huang Qifan, vice chair of the Finance and Economic Committee of the 12th National People's Congress and former mayor of Chongqing, Dr. Baige Zhao, Vice Chair of the 12th NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, Chair of the Advisory Committee of BRI International Think Tank of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Chair of Advisory Committee of CASS-RDI; Zhang Dawei, former vice governor of Henan Province and vice president of China International Economic Exchange Center and secretary general; Dong Zhiyi, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and Angela Gittens, chairman of the International Airport Council attended the forum and delivered speeches. Nearly 300 institutions and more than 600 representatives from civil aviation bureaus, ICAO, international industry associations, aviation enterprises and institutions, international famous aircraft manufacturers, universities, scientific research institutes and social organizations participated. Zeng Qianyi, host of Phoenix Satellite TV, presided over the forum.

Launching Ceremony of the Fourth International Forum on the Air Silk Road

Host Zeng Qianyi

This forum has four major themes, and the participants discussed in depth the relevant issues of "Opportunities and Challenges for the Development of Civil Aviation in China", "International Cooperation in Airport International Operation and Aviation Industry", "International Development of Aviation Manufacturing and Aviation Talents", and "Investment in Aviation Industry and International Cooperation".

Address by Liangzhenying, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee

In his welcoming speech, Liang Zhenying, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that Hong Kong has successful experience in airport management and a large number of local and international talents in the aviation industry, which he believed could help the development of the "Air Silk Road".

Speech by Chen Yuan, chairman of the Silk Road Research and Planning Center

Chen Yuan, vice chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairman of the Silk Road Research and Planning Center, delivered a speech. He said, in the past year, CAAC has actively promoted the internationalization of industries around the major strategy of serving the country, especially in developing infrastructure connectivity with countries and regions along the "Belt and Road Initiative" route, and has achieved gratifying results. It is expected that through this forum, all parties will tap the great potential of China's aviation industry, improve the competitiveness of the international market, optimize the layout of aviation hubs, and do a great job in the international development of China's aviation industry.

Speech by Xie Fuzhan, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Xie Fuzhan, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that the "Air Silk Road" is an important part of the " Belt and Road Initiative" construction, which is conducive to building a new mechanism for coordinated development with integration, division of labor and cooperation, and complementary advantages, and promoting the formation of a new pattern of coordinated regional development. It is conducive to the full implementation of the Outline of the Development Plan for the Great Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. It is also conducive to speeding up Hong Kong's own development and serving the overall situation of the country, building a platform for international economic, trade and cultural exchanges, consolidating and upgrading traditional advantages, and building new advantages.

Address by Angela Gittens, President, Airports Council International

Angela Gittens, president of Airports Council International, said that in the construction of airports, appropriate land use policies should be adopted to reduce the environmental protection brought about by aviation, and the safety of flight areas should be monitored at all times to ensure the rational operation of airports and effective growth.

Speech by Dong Zhiyi, deputy director of Civil Aviation Administration of China

Dong Zhiyi, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, said that building a safe, fast and efficient "Air Silk Road" is an important task for building a strong civil aviation country in the new era. The Civil Aviation Administration of China will actively build a new mode of cooperation with foreign countries, strengthen the docking of aviation planning, policy, construction projects and technical standards, and make new contributions to the solid promotion of the "Belt and Road Initiative" construction.

Speech by Mr Chen Maobo, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Chen Maobo, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said he hoped to further improve the level of Hong Kong's airport operations, improve the quality of air services and expand Hong Kong's aviation network. Continuously improve the level of cargo handling capacity and infrastructure, while reducing the cost of import and export processing. Especially the cost of high added value, increase mutual trade, in order to enhance our level and position in the value chain.

Keynote speech by Dong Jiankang, president of Civil Aviation University of China

Dong Jiankang, president of the Civil Aviation University of China, said that the application of artificial intelligence to civil aviation operation should be strengthened. How to give full play to the irreplaceability of human beings and the efficient synergy of artificial intelligence is another important aspect of the reform of industry education and training. It is hoped that colleges and enterprises will cooperate extensively to promote the faster development of the Air Silk Road.

Keynote speech by Huang Qifan, vice chair of the Financial and Economic Committee of the 12^th National People's Congress and former mayor of Chongqing

Huang Qifan, vice chairman of the Financial and Economic Committee of the 12th National People's Congress and former mayor of Chongqing, said that the holding of the Air Silk Road Forum in Hong Kong is a practical action to implement the "Belt and Road Initiative" and the strategic plan for the development of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. We should further develop the air rail intermodal transport business model between Hong Kong and Europe, truly integrate into the "Belt and Road Initiative" and the construction of the Great Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and give full play to greater vitality and potential.

Keynote speech by Zhang Dawei, vice chairman and Secretary General of China International Economic Exchange Center

Zhang Dawei, former vice governor of Henan Province and vice chairman and Secretary General of China International Economic Exchange Center, said that there were four suggestions for the development of aviation economy. First, we should renew the concept of development, adjust the planning and strategic positioning, attract more intelligent and knowledge-based resources, and gather around the aviation logistics center planned by the state with industrial resources. The second is to speed up the integration with other new technologies and new formats, and the power source of regional economic growth based on field effect. Third, diversified consumption needs close docking, and the supporting transportation infrastructure of the market has been transformed into a consumption experience center and distribution hub of the metropolitan area serving the frontier consumption. Fourth, we should respect the law of air transport network, global supply chain and the planning and layout of regional economic urban agglomerations in China, and adjust the division of labor and layout of passenger and freight aviation hubs. Developing better services of aviation economy and integrating into global supply chain should be the strategic choice for sustained regional economic growth and high-quality development.

Dr. Zhao Baige concluding the conference

Dr. Baige Zhao, Vice Chair of the 12th NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, Chair of the Advisory Committee of BRI International Think Tank of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Chair of Advisory Committee of CASS-RDI, made concluding remarks at the forum: The "Belt and Road initiative" will be an important way for future economic development and will be able to create new development opportunities and platforms for all mankind. "Belt and Road initiative" is a new type of globalization practice, and it is particularly important to create a win-win, co-construction and sharing way of cooperation. At the same time, Dr Baige Zhao stressed that the Air Silk Road is an important part of the "Belt and Road initiative" construction, and that holding it in Hong Kong will be a new model, which will not only promote economic growth, but also benefit China and the world. Secondly, the forum should reach a consensus with international friends on the future measures proposed in the construction of the Air Silk Road.

The 2019 International Forum on the Air Silk Road is sponsored by the Silk Road Planning Research Center, the "Belt and Road Initiative" International Cooperation Hong Kong Center, the "Belt and Road Initiative" international think tank of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China urban and small town reform and development center, the China Civil Airport Association. Longhao Group Co., Ltd is the exclusive organizer with the support of the Hong Kong Airport Authority and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.