HONG KONG, Feb. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Hong Kong Airport Authority (AA)on Tuesday hosted the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) 2025 Summit to garner views on the development of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in the next 20 years.

    Attended by decision-makers, business leaders, academics and senior officials from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and other parts of the world, the summit aimed at examining the long-term demand, supply and competition HKIA would face from now on until 2025.

    Participants of the summit discussed the forces and factors that would help shape the economies and the aviation industries.

    Two trends most relevant to HKIA's development in the next two decades were highlighted at the summit.

    These included Hong Kong's economic integration with the Chinese mainland as well as the critical role of the aviation industry in the integration process. In particular, focus was on Hong Kong's accelerated integration with the Pearl River Delta (PRD).

    Gao Hongfeng, deputy director of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, said at the summit that besides the Hong Kong International Airport, the PRD has four airports, they are all facing the challenges of the shortage of regional source and coordination.

    He suggested the Hong Kong Airport Authority and Chinese mainland counterparts launch research programs on enabling each ofthe five airports to take their respective advantage.

    Painting a visionary picture of Hong Kong in 20 years' time, Stephen Ip, Hong Kong secretary for economic development and labor,said that over the next two decades, "we will provide a firm platform both for the Chinese mainland enterprises seeking to enter international markets and for overseas enterprises looking to tap the Chinese mainland market."

    AA Chairman Victor Fung said, "HKIA needs to explore the way with the other PRD airports to better facilitate the utilization of resources through integration and cooperation so as to maintain HKIA's long-term competitiveness."

    David Pang, chief executive officer of AA, said, "Integration between pan-PRD and Hong Kong is irreversible and HKIA plays an active role in enabling the integration in this fast growing aviation market.

    "HKIA seeks win-win cooperation with other PRD airports to maximize the resources, values and benefits that an integrated PRD airport system can bring to the region."

    Topics ranging from the world economy, the airline industry andcargo business in 20 years' time were also addressed at the summit,which would help AA work out the HKIA Master Plan 2025 and the growth strategy for the development of the airport in the years tocome. Enditem