Sustainable Aviation Futures China Congress opens in Hong Kong, bringing together government and industry leaders to advance SAF scale-up
Hong Kong, 22 September 2026 – The inaugural Sustainable Aviation Futures China Congress opened yesterday in Hong Kong, bringing together senior leaders from government, aviation, energy, finance, technology and the sustainable fuels value chain to examine how Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong can accelerate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development and strengthen their position within the emerging global market.
Taking place on 21–22 September, the two-day Congress will explore the policy, investment, technology, infrastructure and commercial frameworks required to move SAF from early market development towards meaningful scale. Day one focused on policy, market structure and investment, followed by supply, demand and pathway development on day two.
Senior government and industry leaders attending include Qiang ZHOU, Deputy Director General of Economy Department, Liaison Office of Central People’s Government in Hong Kong; Dr Stephen Wong, Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, Hong Kong SAR Government; Chun San LIU JP, Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Hong Kong SAR Government; Xu CHEN, Deputy Director, Guangzhou Development & Reform Commission / Guangzhou GBA Office; and Ronald LAM, CEO, Cathay Group.
The Congress opened with remarks from Chun San LIU, Xu CHEN, Ronald LAM, and Simon NG, CEO, Business Environment Council, setting the stage for discussions around China’s SAF policy outlook and the role of the Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area in the development of a competitive regional market.
Across the two days, delegates will examine some of the most important questions facing the sector: how projects can reach final investment decision; how airlines can build meaningful SAF procurement strategies; how policy and compliance requirements are shaping international trade; and how infrastructure, feedstock availability, financing and certification can keep pace with market growth.
The programme will also explore China’s potential advantages in next-generation aviation fuels. Sessions will consider eSAF, hydrogen, methanol-to-jet and other emerging pathways alongside the country’s strengths in renewable energy, manufacturing and industrial scale.
Hong Kong’s role as an international aviation, financial and trading hub will be another central theme, including its potential to connect producers in the Chinese Mainland with airlines, investors and international buyers.
Cathay is the ‘Official Airline Partner’ of Sustainable Aviation Futures China, reflecting Cathay’s commitment in advancing the SAF ecosystem development in this part of the world and the indispensable role of airlines in aggregating credible long-term demand and supporting the development of commercially viable SAF markets.
“Cathay is honoured to be the Official Airline Partner of this Congress. Through around HK$150 billion of investment committed in our fleet, cabins, lounges and digital capabilities, we are strengthening our customer proposition while advancing our decarbonisation journey. Sustainable aviation fuel will play a critical role in aviation's transition, and by harnessing the strengths of the Chinese Mainland, the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong and our industry partners, we can help accelerate SAF development and adoption at scale.”
– Ronald Lam, CEO, Cathay Group
The Congress is also supported by Honeywell Technologies, EcoEngineers, Velocys, EcoCeres, PAC, Sky Renewables and Future Energy Global, bringing together expertise spanning technology, production, certification, infrastructure, feedstocks and market development.
The second day of the Congress will feature the opening remark by Dr Stephen Wong from Chief Executive’s Policy Unit of Hong Kong SAR Government, include the launch of the 2026 Policy Whitepaper on Updated SAF Strategy for Hong Kong, alongside discussions on SAF demand mechanisms, feedstocks, project financing, hydrogen, global compliance, traceability and corporate Scope 3 demand.
The Congress will conclude on 22 September by Sammy Yeung the Climate Change Commissioner from the Environment & Ecology Bureau, and following a programme designed to connect regional SAF development with the wider international market and identify the policy, commercial and investment conditions needed to support long-term growth.
-ENDS-
About Sustainable Aviation Futures
Sustainable Aviation Futures is a high-level content community with a mission to scale global SAF production and establish pathways to aviation decarbonization via a series of high-level congresses, exclusive content and in-depth training courses.
For more information, visit www.sustainableaviationfutures.com.
Media enquiries:
Jamie Bentley
Marketing Director
Sustainable Aviation Futures
Jamie.Bentley@safcongress.com