Chairman’s Message

First of all, may I extend our warmest welcome to our Head Table guests, and to our guests from industry partners, academia and key stakeholders. Your presence this evening gives special meaning to this occasion, and we are truly delighted to have you with us.

It is my great honour and privilege to stand before you tonight as the incoming Chairman of the HKIE Aircraft Division for the 2026–2027 session.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to HKIE Headquarters for its continued and strong support of the Aircraft Division over the years, and to our past Chairmen and Committee members for their unwavering dedication and leadership. You have built a very strong foundation and set a high standard, and living up to this will certainly be a tall order for me.

As we mark our 15th Annual General Meeting, we do so against an exceptional backdrop in Hong Kong’s aviation history. Last year, we celebrated the centenary of the first flight from Kai Tak, as well as the 50th anniversary of the founding of HKIE. This year, Terminal 2 of Hong Kong International Airport will open on 27 May, and we have also just celebrated the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Civil Aviation Department. These milestones remind us how far Hong Kong aviation has come — and the crucial role that engineering professionals have played in shaping today’s world‑class aviation hub.

At the same time, we live in a world where long‑established orders can change almost overnight. Global uncertainty, geopolitical shifts and rapid technological disruption are placing immense pressure on society, and our industry is certainly not immune — particularly in Hong Kong, one of the world’s most open and internationally connected economies. In this environment, resilience is no longer defined by infrastructure alone, but by the quality of our people and the trust placed in our professional judgment.

Hong Kong’s aviation strength is not built on infrastructure alone.
It is built on people — engineers, professionals, regulators, educators and industry practitioners — working together with shared standards, shared values and shared responsibility.

Against this backdrop, the theme of tonight’s AGM Lecture — “Aviation Development: People & Innovation” — is particularly fitting. It reminds us that while technology will continue to evolve, it is people who remain at the heart of innovation, guiding progress with professionalism, integrity and sound engineering judgment. I am sure we will be inspired by Ir Capt Victor Liu, JP in the lecture later this evening.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for your presence. The remarkable turnout tonight is a clear reflection of the strong bond, engagement and collective commitment across Hong Kong’s aviation community.

Together with the Aircraft Division Committee, we will continue to serve as a professional platform connecting stakeholders, deliver high‑quality CPD programmes and technical visits, and provide strong support for our young and aspiring engineers.

I wish you all an enjoyable evening and a stimulating lecture later tonight.

Thank you very much.