Alibaba Group and Airport Authority Hong Kong have reaffirmed their commitment to jointly developing a global logistics hub at Hong Kong International Airport, following a meeting between Jack So Chak-kwong [second from right in photo], chairman of AAHK, Fred Lam [right in photo], chief executive officer of AAHK, Jack Ma [second from left in photo], executive chairman of Alibaba, and Angel Zhao [left in photo], president of global business in Hong Kong at Alibaba.

According to the airport authority, the collaboration entails a smart logistics hub at Kwo Lo Wan, next to the airport. In June 2018, a joint venture led by Alibaba’s logistics arm Cainiao Network was awarded through an open tender the right to develop and manage the hub.

The joint venture plans to use the centre to serve the global cross-border e-commerce market.

The hub will occupy a site of approximately 5.3 hectares, with an estimated gross floor area of 380,000 square metres. It is scheduled to commence operation in 2023 and will feature high design specifications for large-scale robotics and automation, as well as temperature-controlled facilities.

The new development is part of Hong Kong International Airport’s strategy to capture opportunities arising from increased cross-border e-commerce and related businesses, as well as the growth in temperature-controlled logistics.

The airport has been the world’s busiest for cargo for eight consecutive years, having handled more than 5 million tonnes in 2017.