As Shenzhen prepares to host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Nov 18 and 19, following the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministerial Meeting held in Hong Kong last week, the task for Hong Kong now is to help translate regional consensus into practical cooperation — and show how the city can create value through finance, professional expertise, innovation, and cultural exchange.

The theme of the 2026 APEC China Year, “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together”, and its priorities of openness, innovation and cooperation offer a clear direction. Hong Kong should help give these aspirations practical expression: connecting enterprises with capital, supporting cross-border partnerships, and ensuring that cooperation creates opportunities across the region.

Under the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong can draw on both its close connections with the Chinese mainland and its broad international networks. These complementary strengths should underpin its contribution as a superconnector and super value-adder.

The distinction matters. A connection opens a door; professional expertise helps a business walk through it successfully.

As a superconnector, Hong Kong brings together capital, enterprises, talent and markets. As a super value-adder, it helps those connections produce better outcomes through trusted reporting, sound governance, effective financing, and professional risk management.

As president of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a longstanding private-equity investor, I have seen how these capabilities influence investment decisions. Businesses expanding overseas need more than introductions. They need credible financial information, suitable corporate structures, cross-border tax advice, and reliable safeguards for investors.

Hong Kong should therefore develop integrated services combining accounting, financing, law, insurance, valuation and market-entry expertise. These should support both mainland enterprises expanding internationally and Asia-Pacific businesses entering the mainland market through Hong Kong.

The APEC Finance Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong addressed financing digital infrastructure, inclusive finance and economic resilience. Its outcomes provide a basis for sustained regional collaboration rather than a discussion that ends with the meeting.

Hong Kong’s response should focus on matching enterprises and projects with appropriate capital.

Early-stage technology businesses need venture funding and patient investors. Growing companies need private equity, acquisition finance and working capital. Established enterprises may require public listings, bond financing, treasury services and currency-risk management.

From my corporate-finance experience, successful fundraising depends as much on preparation and governance as on market conditions. Hong Kong professionals can help businesses strengthen internal controls, improve reporting and develop credible investment propositions.

The city should also help build investable pipelines for digital infrastructure and green development. Professional teams can assess commercial viability, structure financing, allocate risks and establish transparent reporting. Corporate treasury services and renminbi financing can form part of the solutions tailored to enterprises’ operations.

This is how financial expertise supports the real economy: not simply by completing transactions, but by improving projects’ quality and prospects for long-term success.

Shenzhen’s hosting of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting offers an opportunity to demonstrate the complementary strengths of Hong Kong and the wider Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The objective should be to combine mainland research, manufacturing, and commercial applications with Hong Kong’s international financing, professional services and business networks. Together, they can help Asia-Pacific enterprises innovate, scale and reach new markets.

As a Cyberport board member, I see opportunities to connect technology entrepreneurs with investors, financial institutions and professional advisers. Artificial intelligence and digital finance can improve productivity and broaden access to services. Their adoption must also safeguard data, cybersecurity, accountability, and professional judgment.

APEC’s innovation agenda emphasizes digital transformation, standards interoperability, and sharing technological benefits. Hong Kong can contribute through responsible-technology governance, professional training, and practical support for smaller businesses.

Green development requires a similar combination of innovation and trust. My experience in the Green Tech Fund Assessment Committee reinforces my belief in the importance of assessing technologies alongside commercial viability. Credible sustainability information and professional assurance can strengthen investor confidence and help promising enterprises secure funding without compromising environmental integrity.

Regional cooperation must benefit more than large corporations. Smaller enterprises need affordable guidance on reporting, digitalization, cross-border compliance and dispute resolution.

Hong Kong’s work on APEC’s online dispute-resolution framework for smaller businesses illustrates how professional expertise can reduce barriers to cross-border commerce. Such practical initiatives deserve continued support.

Professional bodies, universities and businesses should also develop regional training partnerships, mentoring programs and exchanges in finance, accounting, sustainability and technology governance. This would build lasting capabilities while creating opportunities for young people.

Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West hub for international cultural exchange complements this economic contribution. Artistic exchanges and youth collaboration can deepen mutual understanding across the Asia-Pacific. These people-to-people connections help build the trust that sustains long-term business and professional partnerships.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s efforts to strengthen Hong Kong’s financial, innovation and professional-services functions deserve active support. Businesses and professional organizations should complement policy initiatives with deliverable projects, accessible services and sustained regional partnerships.

The Shenzhen meeting should be a starting point for further cooperation, not an endpoint for discussion. Government can provide an enabling environment; markets can mobilize investment and entrepreneurship; professionals can supply the standards, expertise and trust needed for successful implementation.

Hong Kong’s contribution must ultimately be measured by results: investable projects, stronger enterprises, quality employment, and wider opportunities. By turning regional connections into tangible value, the city can help build an Asia-Pacific community that prospers together.

The author is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and an advisory expert to the Ministry of Finance.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.