Business and Finance Updates from Hong Kong Government

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today concluded his visit to Xi’an by attending The First Western Commercial Space Conference, meeting Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Shaanxi Provincial Committee Xu Xinrong. Speaking at the conference, Mr Chan highlighted Xi’an’s strong scientific research capabilities, robust industrial chain and deep pool of technological talent in the aerospace industry. He pointed out that for the commercial space industry to thrive, it must successfully secure financing, expand market reach and maintain steady development. Mr Chan discussed Hong Kong’s unique positioning under the “one country two systems” principle, noting that the city can act as an international interface for the western region’s aerospace industry across capital, research and market perspectives. In terms of capital, the Financial Secretary said Hong Kong can help technology enterprises with raising funds, valuation, pricing and cross-boundary mergers and acquisitions using internationally recognised rules. For scientific research, the city’s universities can partner with Xi’an institutions on key technologies, drive the commercialisation of research outcomes and leverage global networks to attract top-tier talent. Regarding market development, Hong Kong can help Mainland enterprises expand overseas by facilitating standards conversion and product validation. Mr Chan stressed that Hong Kong will leverage its openness, […]

Talent engagement has been one of the core policies of the current-term Government. In an interview with news.gov.hk marking his fourth year in office, Chief Executive John Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s strong progress in drawing global talent, noting that more than 290,000 professionals have arrived through various talent schemes, a figure that readily surpasses the Government’s targets. In the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025, Hong Kong advanced to fourth place worldwide and ranked top in Asia. Mr Lee described this rise in talent competitiveness as a success story under his leadership, and proof that the Government’s talent policy is working in the right direction. “This is important because talent will be positive for us if the talent joins me, but will probably be negative to me if it goes to my competitor because he becomes more competitive and I become less competitive.” Mr Lee also emphasised the substantial economic value the talent schemes continue to deliver for the city. He cited studies indicating that talent is expected to contribute around 1.2% to Hong Kong’s gross domestic product, but stressed that the actual figure is likely to be higher, as individual talents bring in their family members and contribute to the broader economy. Mr Lee singled out the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), which recruits graduates from the world’ top 100 universities, for recognition. The influx of personnel via the […]

The Government is helping both local and Mainland businesses to expand their global reach. In an exclusive interview with news.gov.hk, Chief Executive John Lee outlined that the establishment of the “GoGlobal Task Force” last year was aimed squarely at supporting enterprises in navigating their pathways to international markets. Mr Lee said: “When we talk about being a ‘Super Connector’, we can of course introduce and connect – but it is more than connect – we do value-adding.” The Chief Executive explained the Government adds value to firms’ operations. This includes sharing networks and knowledge, advising on business plans, explaining how professional services can help, offering guidance on raising money, and advising on compliance with local laws, all areas in which the Government has good experience. He elaborated that the Hong Kong SAR Government’s networks can help to ease the path for Mainland businesses to gain a foothold in other countries. “That is why I have done my recent visit to Central Asia, taking with me a big delegation comprising both Hong Kong and Mainland delegates, including professionals, and industries which are involved in mining, logistics, solving water problems, or new energy.” Mr Lee explained that through hands-on partnerships, these Mainland businesses gain a deeper understanding of what Hong Kong can offer. “Through doing it with us, they understand what Hong Kong can do for them. It is not just by reading […]

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today continued his visit to Xi’an, where he called on CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee Secretary Zhao Yide, and toured a university and a high-tech zone. Mr Chan and Mr Zhao held an in-depth exchange of views on further strengthening Shaanxi-Hong Kong co-operation. The finance chief said the two places can deepen co-operation in areas such as innovation, research and development, commercialisation of research outcomes, the cultivation of innovative enterprises, and financing for listings, as well as talent exchanges and higher education. He invited Xi’an enterprises to send delegations to visit Hong Kong, connect with Hong Kong enterprises and the investment community, and explore further co-operation. In the morning, Mr Chan visited Northwestern Polytechnical University, where he met the university’s President Prof Song Baowei. He held a discussion session with innovation and technology enterprises, and spoke to more than 200 teachers, students and alumni. The Financial Secretary said that globalisation is shifting from an “efficiency first” model to one that places equal emphasis on “efficiency and resilience”, with supply chain security, self-reliance in core technologies, and cross-boundary regulation becoming key considerations. Mr Chan remarked that Hong Kong’s capital, talent and professional services can help to connect Xi’an’s technological achievements with international markets. He described this model in […]

Invest Hong Kong said it has assisted 413 overseas and Mainland enterprises in setting up or expanding their business in Hong Kong in the first half of 2026, and expects these to bring in over $53 billion in foreign direct investment. InvestHK today hosted its annual welcome reception for international and Mainland businesses, thanking them for their trust and confidence in Hong Kong’s business environment. It announced its investment promotion results for the first half of this year at the event. Officiating at the reception, Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong’s rising international rankings, together with its strong performance in attracting investment and enterprises, reflect the city’s robust advantages and immense opportunities. “In the first half of this year, we welcomed 413 companies establishing or expanding their operations in Hong Kong – a year on year increase of some 10%. “Together, they are expected to bring in over $53 billion in foreign direct investment and also create more than 8,600 new jobs.” The Chief Executive added that Hong Kong is expediting development of the Northern Metropolis, which will unlock abundant opportunities and shape a prosperous future for the city. InvestHK revealed that among the 413 overseas and Mainland enterprises it assisted in setting up or expanding in Hong Kong, about 60% came from the Chinese Mainland, while the rest spanned various markets across Europe and Asia. The top five sectors included […]

Financial Secretary Paul Chan completed his itinerary in Dalian this morning and at noon proceeded to Xi'an, where he called on CPC Xi'an Municipal Committee Secretary Hao Huijie and Xi'an Mayor Ye Niuping to discuss  strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Xi'an. Upon arriving in the city, Mr Chan visited Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU). He met CPC XJTU Committee Secretary Wu Guosheng, and held a symposium with innovation and technology enterprises there. He elaborated on Hong Kong's business environment, and its financial and innovation and technology ecosystems. In a speech to about 400 teachers, students and alumni of the university, he commented that Hong Kong and Xi'an can work together to transform hard technology achievements into products and services for the global market. Mr Chan highlighted that Xi'an has outstanding research strengths in areas of hard technology such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, new energy and new materials. He said these cutting-edge technologies can fully unleash their value only by “identifying the right scenarios and the right applications”. To become effective productive forces, he added, such technologies require capital, market validation and internationalisation, all of which Hong Kong can give crucial support on. Mr Chan encouraged students to regard Hong Kong as one of the barometers of the global market, actively enter the intersection of “finance + technology”, and make good use of Hong Kong's […]

Chief Executive John Lee today continued a visit to Fujian, where he met elderly Hongkongers who have retired there, toured a thematic exhibition on Fuzhou's development, and called on new energy and technology enterprises. In the morning, in Fuzhou, Mr Lee met elderly Hongkongers who have moved to Fujian to learn about their living conditions. He highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government provides support for cross-boundary elderly care. Among various measures, the Fujian Scheme provides a monthly cash allowance to eligible Hong Kong residents who have moved to Fujian. Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to enact cross-boundary elderly care measures, providing greater convenience for Hong Kong elderly persons who choose to retire on the Mainland. Afterwards, he visited the “30th Anniversary Achievement Exhibition” for the “3820” Strategic Project, which showcases Fuzhou's achievements in urban planning and socio-economic development. The “3820” Strategic Project originates from Fuzhou’s 20-Year Economic and Social Development Strategic Vision, formulated in 1992 under the stewardship of President Xi Jinping when he was Secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee. Taking three years, eight years, and 20 years as key milestones, the blueprint mapped out Fuzhou’s development. Mr Lee remarked that the strategic vision mapped out Fuzhou’s socio-economic development goals, key steps and areas of focus, […]

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today attended events at the “Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026” and engaged in a number of Liaoning-Hong Kong exchanges. He began his second day in Dalian by attending the annual meeting's opening ceremony, at which State Council Premier Li Qiang delivered a speech. Mr Chan then attended a World Economic Forum discussion session, where he discussed the financial landscape with financial, political and business leaders from the Mainland and overseas. At the session, the Financial Secretary said he did not consider the world to be forming a fragmented financial system. However, he added that the trend of jurisdictions using their own currencies for trade and investment, to diversify foreign exchange risks and reduce costs, would continue. Mr Chan highlighted that China accounts for an important share of global trade, resulting in increasingly frequent use of the renminbi in cross-boundary payments and settlements, and that the international monetary system is therefore steadily moving towards greater diversification. He said that emerging payment systems and cross-boundary infrastructure should be seen as complementary options that increase choice, enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen financial security and resilience, rather than as zero-sum substitutes. On Hong Kong’s role, Mr Chan said that, despite uncertainties brought by geopolitics, overseas capital still attaches great importance to the Mainland’s […]

Financial Secretary today Paul Chan began a visit to Dalian by attending various events at the World Economic Forum's “Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026”, also known as the Summer Davos forum. These events included the High-Level Dialogue on China Megacities, where he held discussions with leaders of Mainland cities, business representatives and international business leaders, on the role of China's megacities and regions in the country’s new round of high-level opening up, and how to promote cross-border co-operation and the collaborative development of industrial chains. In a speech, Mr Chan stated that competition among cities in the future will revolve around innovation and technology (I&T), requiring them to strengthen collaborative development and complementary advantages through city clusters. He said that Hong Kong, building on its status as an international financial and trade centre, is promoting I&T as one of the main engines of its economic development. This includes accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, strengthening collaboration with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and combining scientific research outcomes and advanced manufacturing to promote the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation. He also highlighted that Hong Kong is committed to attracting high-end talent, and that since the enhancement of talent admission schemes at the end of 2022, around 300,000 people […]

Chief Executive John Lee today continued a trip to Fujian by visiting Wuyi University and a cultural tourism site, and meeting various leaders in Nanping City. In the morning, in Nanping City, he met Vice Governor of Fujian Province Zhao Zenglian, and CPC Nanping Municipal Committee Secretary Yuan Chaohong, to exchange views on issues of mutual concern. Mr Lee then visited Wuyi University in Wuyishan, where he met interns and Hong Kong students participating in the “Youth Internship Programme at Wuyishan on Biodiversity Conservation”, to learn about their experiences on the programme. Wuyi University adopts a regional industry-oriented approach in providing courses focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. The internship programme is a youth co-operation project arising from the Third Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference in 2018. So far, 48 Hong Kong youngsters have benefited. Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has always attached great importance to youth development. He called on young people to take up more internships on the Mainland, and to serve as pillars of talent contributing to the country’s high-quality development. In the afternoon, the Chief Executive visited a museum to learn about Wuyi rock tea, its history and heritage, and the part it plays in Wuyi’s cultural tourism. He remarked that Hong Kong is advancing the integrated development of culture and tourism and that he looked […]

Overall consumer prices rose 2% year on year in May, a larger increase than the 1.7% year-to-year rise recorded in April, the Census & Statistics Department announced today. Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1.9% in May, also larger than that seen in the previous month. Compared to May 2025, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in the following categories: electricity; gas and water; transport; miscellaneous services; miscellaneous goods; alcoholic drinks and tobacco; housing; clothing and footwear; meals out and takeaway food; and basic foods. Meanwhile, a year-on-year decrease was logged for durable goods. The Government said that despite prices of fuel-related components continuing to pick up, the price pressures on other components remained largely contained. Looking ahead, it said that while the recent de-escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East has contributed to a decline in international oil prices, the earlier surge in oil prices will continue feeding through to fuel-related components of consumer prices in the coming months. Concurrently, price in other areas remain largely stable, which should help keep overall inflation moderate. The Government stressed that it will continue to monitor the picture closely.

The High-level Meeting and Fifth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference were held in Fuzhou today, with the governments of the two places agreeing to pursue exchanges and co-operation in 11 areas. The meeting and plenary were staged by Chief Executive John Lee and CPC Fujian Provincial Committee Secretary Zhou Zuyi, leading delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Fujian Government respectively. They were joined by Director of Bureau III of the CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office and the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Zou Jinsong. Hong Kong and Fujian reached a consensus to pursue exchanges and co-operation in finance; civil aviation, maritime transport and logistics; economics, trade and investment; innovation and technology; legal and dispute resolution; culture; education; youth development; health and Chinese medicine; tourism; and facilitation measures for Hong Kong people on the Mainland. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Vice Governor of Fujian Province Zhao Zenglian signed a "Co-operation Memorandum of the High-Level Meeting and the Fifth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference". Another six co-operation agreements were signed by government departments and statutory bodies from the two places covering cultural and tourism co-operation, youth exchanges, finance, promoting the international expansion of Fujian enterprises, education, and jointly […]

Financial Secretary Paul Chan will depart for Dalian and Xi'an tomorrow afternoon to lead a high-level delegation at the Summer Davos forum and explore investment opportunities. He will return to Hong Kong on Saturday.  Mr Chan will lead a delegation of more than 30 members to the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026, also known as the Summer Davos forum, held in Dalian from June 23 to 25. Under the theme "Innovating at Scale", this year’s meeting will gather over 1,700 leaders from government, business and academia across more than 90 countries and regions. Discussions will focus on global trade shifts, China’s economic development, technological innovation, inclusive growth and the energy transition. During the forum, Mr Chan will deliver speeches and attend thematic sessions. The Hong Kong delegation will participate in business networking and enterprise matching activities.   The delegation includes senior executives from the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC), the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation, Cyberport and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation & Technology Park. Heads of nurtured or attracted innovation and technology (I&T) enterprises spanning artificial intelligence, biomedical technology, new energy and advanced manufacturing will also join, alongside representatives from Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Limited […]

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today continued his visit to Nanjing, where he met provincial and municipal officials, attended an exchange session for technology enterprises and toured local innovation and technology (I&T) companies. Mr Chan called on Jiangsu Governor Liu Xiaotao and Secretary of the CPC Nanjing Municipal Committee Zhou Hongbo to discuss deepening co-operation between Hong Kong, Jiangsu and Nanjing. He noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has established a Go Global Task Force to better serve Mainland enterprises expanding internationally. Building on a solid foundation, Mr Chan suggested that Jiangsu and Hong Kong explore new models of collaboration. This includes organising delegations from Hong Kong’s financial, I&T, logistics and professional services sectors to visit Jiangsu to deepen bilateral exchanges. Speaking at a technology enterprise exchange session this morning, the Financial Secretary listened to industry briefings on business trends and development plans. He shared updates on Hong Kong’s economic landscape and its integration with the 15th Five-Year Plan, encouraging Mainland firms to use the city’s international platform to expand globally. Mr Chan remarked that as leading Mainland enterprises expand outward, they need to connect with international capital markets. Doing so allows them to capitalise on positive sentiment towards China’s technological development, align corporate governance […]

Chief Executive John Lee will lead a delegation to visit Fujian on Monday to attend the High-level Meeting and the Fifth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference. The meeting and plenary session, which will be held in Fuzhou on Monday, will facilitate in-depth exchanges on deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian. During the visit, Mr Lee will meet provincial and municipal leaders and visit local innovation and technology enterprises and cultural projects. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Director of the Chief Executive's Office Carol Yip will join the delegation. Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui, Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law and Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Janice Tse, among other officials, will also join some parts of the visit programme. Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on Wednesday. During his absence, Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam will take turns as Acting Chief Executive.