The Third World Shipping Conference was held in Hong Kong on the 20th, and industry participants believe that the shipping industry is undergoing new changes, and the rapid development of digital technology will inject new momentum into the shipping industry. The Third World Airlines Conference is a key event of the "Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023" that opened on the same day. The theme of the 7-day Maritime Week is "New Power of Shipping", and nearly 50 activities will be held in areas such as establishing a maritime talent pool, maritime industry training, environmental protection shipping, and maritime insurance. Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Leung Chun ying, delivered a speech at the main forum of the conference, stating that Hong Kong is a "super contact" for world trade and a staunch advocate and role model for free trade. As an international shipping center, Hong Kong is actively improving its shipping service level. The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of Maritime Week, stating that the SAR government will consolidate and enhance the status of Hong Kong as an international shipping center. In the near future, the SAR government will announce detailed shipping and port development strategies to enhance the level of high-end shipping services, promote zero emission transformation of the industry, and promote intelligent and digital development. Zheng Yanxiong, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, delivered a speech at the main forum of the conference, stating that the formation of the Hong Kong International Shipping Center is the result of the joint efforts of the shipping industry. Many enterprises have recognized Hong Kong's unique advantages and have been deeply rooted in Hong Kong for a long time, achieving mutual achievements with Hong Kong. He hopes that the attendees will create another brilliance in the transformation and upgrading of the Hong Kong International Shipping Center. Vice Minister of Transport, Fu Xuyin, delivered a speech at the main forum of the conference, stating that we should seize the opportunity of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, promote the deep integration of new generation information technology and the shipping industry, accelerate the development of smart ports, smart waterways, and smart ships, create a digital platform for shipping trade, and shape new driving forces and advantages for shipping development. Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group, stated in his keynote speech that intelligent technology can improve shipping efficiency and efficiency, and the shipping industry needs to build a reasonable digital operating system for shipping. We look forward to strengthening communication among all parties, continuously improving the carbon emission monitoring system and international rules for carbon trading, and promoting the global shipping industry to enter the fast lane of green transformation. David Rosslie, Secretary General and CEO of the Baltic International Shipping Association, said in his keynote speech that he is very pleased with the series of efforts made by the Hong Kong SAR government in the green transformation of the shipping industry. He said that Hong Kong is actively promoting the construction of smart ports and actively attracting maritime service professionals, which will help the industry achieve carbon reduction goals. The conference features multiple keynote speeches and roundtable forums, where industry representatives from multiple countries such as the UK, France, and Norway discuss topics such as how the shipping industry can transform and upgrade, and how the shipping industry chain can develop with high quality. The World Shipping Conference is an international shipping industry event led by China Merchants Group, aiming to build a global shipping industry exchange platform. It was first held in Hong Kong in 2021. This conference attracted about a thousand representatives from the global shipping, political, and business communities to participate on-site. (New News Agency)