Hong Kong is poised for new growth opportunities, with global investors and businesses increasingly viewing the city as a safe and attractive destination, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Sunday.
Writing in his weekly blog, Chan noted he has met with international business leaders, scholars and think tank representatives during the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing, and many of them said “Hong Kong remains vibrant and is entering a period of strategic opportunity”.
Compared with other financial centers, the finance chef said, the special administrative region benefits from the country’s solid security backing and its status as a free port under the “one country, two systems” principle.
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“Amid a complex and volatile geopolitical environment, an increasing number of investors, capital and professionals are viewing Hong Kong as a rare ‘safe haven’ and appealing investment destination, with funds, companies and talent accelerating their presence in the city,” he added.
According Chan, total deposits in Hong Kong’s banking system have surpassed HK$19 trillion ($2.4 trillion) after having risen 11.8 percent year-on-year in 2025, and are continuing to grow this year.
The average daily turnover on the local stock market topped HK$260 billion in the first two months of 2026 — a 17-percent increase from a year earlier. Trading activity has accelerated further in March, with daily turnover exceeding HK$300 billion on multiple days.
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The number of overseas and Chinese mainland companies establishing operations in the city rose 11 percent last year. Visitor arrivals in the first two months of 2026 jumped 18 percent year-on-year to nearly 10 million.
“These demonstrate Hong Kong’s unique appeal and international standing,” Chan said, adding that “the city must seize the window of opportunity to accelerate high-quality development and better communicate its advantages to the global community”.
At a panel discussion during the two-day China Development Forum 2026, which opened on Sunday, Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s potential contribution to the global green transition. As energy resilience becomes a more urgent issue worldwide, he said the city’s strengths in green finance and green technology will create new growth opportunities.
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Hosted by the Development Research Centre of the State Council, this year’s forum is themed “China in Its 15th Five-Year Plan Period: Advancing High-Quality Development and Creating New Opportunities Together”.
Speakers include Apple’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta and Nobel economics laureate Michael Kremer.
Chan said the country’s push to promote high-quality development and high-level two-way opening-up through new quality productive forces, and uphold the principles of mutual benefit and inclusiveness is the correct path forward.
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“As a gateway connecting the mainland and the world, Hong Kong’s roles as a super-connector and super value-adder will become even more important amid today’s complex global environment,” he said.
“How to further consolidate and enhance the city’s unique function as an international city that connects with the world, while strengthening integration and collaboration with the mainland, will remain an area we will continue to strengthen,” Chan added.
During his visit to Beijing, Chan met officials from central government ministries and financial regulators to discuss the macroeconomic outlook, financial market developments and the HKSAR’s role during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period. He is due to return to Hong Kong on Monday.
