CDF Voice | Dr. Jacob Kam, CEO of MTR Corporation

“Innovative technology” and “new quality productive forces” are being used by China as the means to spearhead its high-quality development. MTR Corporation has been adopting the similar strategy in integrating technology innovation and business diversification for long. Over the last two decades of our participation in China’s metro development, we have witnessed the impeccable illustration of “China Speed” and “China Standards” through the leaping progress of the nation’s metro industry. Full industrial know-how has been established in the metro sector, encompassing design, construction, operation, and maintenance supported by substantial data accumulation. China’s metro industry only needs to combine suitable commercial considerations with its existing proficiencies to enable its marketable and commercially viable export of the end-to-end “China Standard” metro systems. Such exportations can reinforce the technical and financial bases of China’s own metro industry and would serve to provide guidance reference to the development of the international metro industry markets.

MTR Corporation operates metro lines in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen, with a total route length exceeding 300 kilometers and an investment exceeding RMB 60 billion. In response to the Central Government’s initiative to develop “new domestic consumption models”, we have started the exploration of suitable commercial models for station-trading in the existing metro systems of Chengdu, Zhengzhou, and Xi'an. This aims at making the best use of existing resources and infrastructures to assimilate, from a nation-wide perspective, the “new domestic consumption models” into the sustainable development of metro systems.

MTR Corporation is set to participate in the China Development Forum for the 19th time this year. Over the years, we have been privileged to engage in direct dialogues with Central Government officials. We deeply appreciate the Central Government's attention and support for both foreign and Hong Kong enterprises operating in China. Our experiences have reinforced our confidence in China’s dedication to fostering global development.

Looking ahead to 2025, MTR Corporation is well prepared to capture the development opportunities outlined and supported by the Central Government. We will focus on more in-depth collaborations with the concerned municipal governments in key areas like metro construction and operation, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), and innovative commercial models for station commercial. Our goal is to add value to the high-quality advancement of the metro sector in China. By riding on the partnership with suitable China enterprises, we will leverage our extensive experience in overseas investment and operations to facilitate the application of “China Standards” in international markets. This strategic approach aims to contribute to the synergistic advancement of the global metro industry as a whole.

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