The flags of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx), China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are seen hoisted in the HKSAR on Feb 6, 2018. (ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) issued its Strategic Plan 2019-2021 on Thursday, which sets out its vision and strategic objectives for the next three years, one day after it announced its annual profit hit a record high.

HKEX's vision is to be the "global markets leader in the Asian time zone," according to an HKEx statement.

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Our strategic plan centers around China, global connectivity, and technology

Charles Li, HKEx Chief Executive 

Already a leading venue for investing into and out of the Chinese mainland, HKEx aims to further increase its international relevance to the mainland and Asia, as well as its Asia relevance to the global markets, serving as the venue of choice for investors and issuers in the Asian time zone, according to the statement.

These strategic initiatives will help boost HKEx's international competitiveness and make Hong Kong even more relevant as a global financial center, the statement read.

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"Our strategic plan centers around China, global connectivity, and technology. Its goal of developing a rich product ecosystem that's attractive to both the mainland and international investors while embracing creativity and technological innovation marks a clear vision of our future," HKEx Chief Executive Charles Li said.

The bourse on Wednesday reported that its profit rose 26 percent in 2018 from a year earlier to a record high of HK$9.31 billion (US$1.19 billion), mainly boosted by fees from some mega initial public offerings (IPOs) in the first half year.