Cathay Pacific Airways Chief Executive Philip Chen has been appointed by Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited as an independent non-executive director for a two-year term.

Chen joined Swire in 1977 and has worked with the group in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the Asia Pacific region. He has been a director of Cathay Pacific since 1997 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 1998. He served as Chief Executive of Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited from 1994 to 1997.

Chen says, "I am delighted and honored by the appointment. I will do my best to bring my experience in the travel and tourism industry to contribute to the growth and success of Hong Kong Disneyland for the benefit of the tourism sector and the economy as a whole. As a former Chairman of Ocean Park, I have always been convinced that Disneyland and Ocean Park are complementary. Together they provide an ideal family outing for the Hong Kong community and can attract tourists from all over the world."