The staunch backing by the country ensures that amid global chaos, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region offers what few other international hubs can: uninterrupted business, a stable and secure environment, and a community that understands the hard value of order, the city’s leader said on Tuesday.

“After all, Hong Kong's ‘one country, two systems’ excellence comes not only from the connectivity of the ‘two systems’. It lies, more crucially, in ‘one country’,” John Lee Ka-chiu said while delivering a speech at HSBC Global Investment Summit 2026 in Hong Kong.

When geopolitical tensions send shockwaves through supply chains, energy markets and investor confidence, this part of the world remains remarkably composed, he said, attributing it to vigilance, proactive engagement and commitment to excel in an intricate and interconnected world.

Being the world's second-largest economy, China – fast rising as an innovation hub and hotspot for entrepreneurs – values multilateralism and pursues peaceful resolution to problems that beset humanity, he pointed out.

“These give Hong Kong all the more reason to integrate into national development strategies. The National 15th Five-Year Plan, approved last month in Beijing, continues to champion Hong Kong's development as an international financial, shipping and trade center.”

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Addressing more than 4,000 financial leaders, investors, innovators and policymakers from some 1,500 institutions who gathered for the investment summit, the chief executive said investors are increasing their asset allocation in the SAR, viewing it as a safe haven for funds.

“No less important, the stable growth of the Chinese mainland economy and the large number of high-quality companies listing in Hong Kong offer them – offer you – ample investment opportunities.”

Pointing out that more companies now see Hong Kong as a critical center for going global, he said the city is bringing together its professional services providers from a wide variety of fields, including legal and financial services, marketing and testing and certification, to help companies, in the mainland and elsewhere, go global.

“In turn, we help to connect a world of investors to the vast opportunities of the vibrant Chinese market,” he added.

The HKSAR is also capitalizing on finance to power high-quality development and sustainable growth, particularly in innovation and technology, he said.

Referring to complex and volatile global affairs, with a large and looming shadow of Middle East conflict weighing on market sentiment, he said, “This year to date, our financial markets continue to perform well, becoming even more active entering March. The average daily turnover of Hong Kong stocks reached nearly $39 billion in March, rising 8 percent over the same period last year.”

Terming Hong Kong’s IPO market health as “wonderful,” he said as of end-March, fundraising had exceeded $14 billion, ranking first globally.

“Such spirited activity spotlights Hong Kong's dynamic role in global financial markets, especially in times of uncertainty.”

Given today's geopolitical roller-coaster, the global outlook runs from daunting to dire, fragmenting and hindering trade, supply chains and investment flows. At such times, stability and certainty are what businesses and investors value most, he said, adding: “Stability, certainty and trust are our natural resources – essential to Hong Kong's economy, society and flourishing future.”

Under ''one country, two systems'', Hong Kong has developed an internationally respected common law legal system. The free flow of capital, information, goods and talent, plus a low and simple tax regime, enable the city to play a unique role connecting the mainland and the rest of the world.

Pointing out Hong Kong continued to rank third globally on the latest Global Financial Centres Index, published in March, Lee said it reaffirms the SAR’s leadership and wide-ranging strengths as an international financial center.

The HKSAR government is building a comprehensive framework to establish Hong Kong as a digital asset hub, he said, adding that the city now has 12 licensed digital asset trading platforms and continues to expand its key digital asset areas.  

“Later this year, we plan to introduce a legislative bill for licensing digital asset dealing, custodian, advisory and management services.  

Group Chairman of HSBC Brendan Nelson, Group CEO Georges Elhedery and Chairman, Asia Pacific of HSBC Dr Peter Wong were present among the dignitaries during the CE’s speech.