Listing of an aircraft leasing company

In the dedicated chapter on Hong Kong and Macau of the National 12th Five-Year Plan announced five years ago, the country supported Hong Kong in reinforcing and enhancing its status as an international centre of financial services, trade and transportation, and strengthening the global influence of Hong Kong as a financial centre.

I pointed out at that time that transportation centre referred to both aviation and maritime transportation. These two kinds of transportation involve not only carriage of goods but also high-end services in which Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages. This include aviation-related financial services, such as aircraft leasing.

I am glad to see the listing of an aircraft leasing company in Hong Kong yesterday. The company is the largest aircraft operating leasing company headquartered in Asia and the fifth largest aircraft operating lessor in the world. The capital raised amounts to more than $8 billion. According to market news, another Mainland leasing company may also be listed in Hong Kong.

China is an important aviation and maritime nation whereas Hong Kong is an international financial centre. By developing leasing business, we can further diversify our financial services and enhance Hong Kong's special position in national development.

Hong Kong's financial sector has to keep finding new growth opportunities, so as to provide a bigger and better platform for young people who intend to pursue a career in finance. To this end, I set up the Preparatory Task Force on the Financial Services Development Council in 2012 as Chief Executive-elect. One of the objectives was to identify and create new growth opportunities.

I have confidence in Hong Kong's role in national development, and I have confidence in the competitiveness of the Hong Kong people.  Given such, I also have confidence in our overall economic development and in the financial business.

June 2, 2016