Letters | Amid Red Sea attacks, Hong Kong should keep its shipping flag flying high

Readers discuss the valuable role Hong Kong’s shipping industry can play, and a recent fatal road accident.

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Container ships at the Kwai Tsing Container Port in Hong Kong in October 2018. Hong Kong could leverage its neutral status at a time when ships are under attack in the Red Sea. Photo: Roy Issa

Published: 2:30pm, 13 Mar 2024

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Attacks on ships in the Red Sea have triggered concerns about the safety of ocean transport. Hong Kong should capitalise on “one country, two systems”, under which the city is perceived as a neutral jurisdiction. The Hong Kong shipping flag can help the city grow its own logistics brand and provide services which we have been good at.

The Red Sea attacks have also boosted the demand for the transport of goods using the China-Europe rail route. The Manzhouli railway port in Inner Mongolia recorded over 5,000 China-Europe goods train trips in 2023, and cargo capacity reached 540,000 TEU (20-foot equivalent unit). Even before the Red Sea attacks, transport time by rail between China and Europe was two-thirds less than by sea.

Hong Kong businesses have a lot more to contribute to development under the Belt and Road Initiative than just tourism and mega events. Let’s create more avenues for revenue to replenish our inland revenue kitty.

Joseph Chan, chairman, Silk Road Economic Development Research Centre

Fill gaps in road safety education

The report, “Truck slams into 2 stationary vehicles on Hong Kong highway, kills man who got out of car to check damage from earlier collision” (March 4) shows the need for safety to be prioritised for all road users.