"In the twelve month period ending January 2001, the Hong Kong International Airport served 32.6 million passengers and handled some 2.22 million tons of cargo, representing a growth of 11.6 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively, over the corresponding period one year earlier," she said.

Lee pointed out that the Hong Kong International Airport has benefited greatly from the rapid growth in the Pearl River Delta hinterland region.

She told the conference that Hong Kong will continue to implement a liberal air services policy and to provide the best services expected of a world-class airport in partnership with the Airport Authority.

The three-day TOC Asia 2001, organized by the Informa Group and supported by the Hong Kong Port Maritime Board, will focus on the forces shaping global terminal operations in the 21st century, and the new skills and equipment required for the terminal industry in order to plan ahead for future port and terminal development projects.

(Xinhua 02/20/2001)