Hong Kong will reveal its first batch of “partner ports” at a coming flagship maritime event, the city’s transport and logistics minister has said, after Beijing vowed to consolidate the city’s status as a shipping hub last month.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Saturday that the first batch of the city’s partner ports in mainland China and countries under the Belt and Road Initiative will be announced during Hong Kong Maritime Week, which will take place from November 16 to 22.

“I am deeply grateful for my team’s relentless effort. In the short period of just over a month since the policy address was announced in September, my colleagues have already delivered outstanding results,” Chan said in a blog post.

“We will be announcing the first batch of ‘partner ports’ during Hong Kong Maritime Week.”

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu first mentioned the plan to build such partnerships during his policy address this year, saying the arrangement was to prepare for a “green shipping corridor”.

The Belt and Road Initiative refers to an ongoing strategic effort by Beijing to link various developing economies into a China-centred trade network, driven by Chinese-backed infrastructure projects abroad.

According to Chan, Hong Kong authorities will also invite the Silk Road Maritime Association, comprising 360 members including shipping companies, port authorities and logistics firms, to hold summits during the maritime week.