Over the past three weeks, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has been the epicenter of intense global multilateral exchanges and commercial activities. By hosting seven major international conferences within three weeks, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has significantly elevated its global profile and exposure.
More importantly, this rapid succession of major multilateral events delivers a resounding rebuttal to the skeptics who have repeatedly prophesied Hong Kong’s “decline” or “demise” in recent years.
As Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu aptly suggested recently, the city’s ability to attract such a high volume of international gatherings reflects the global community’s continued desire to engage in dialogue here in Hong Kong, as well as the city’s unique capacity to bridge the Chinese mainland with the rest of the world.
Following the implementation of the Hong Kong SAR National Security Law, some questioned whether the city could maintain its free and open environment. This sustained flow of global events serves as a clear vote of confidence, proving that Hong Kong is steadily solidifying its position as a major international financial center and a premier global hub for conventions and events.
The most high-profile one, among the recent renaissance of international events, was undoubtedly the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministerial Meeting 2026. With over 300 financial delegates and policymakers converging on the city, Hong Kong was placed firmly in the global spotlight. Given that APEC member economies account for approximately 60 percent of global GDP and half of international trade, the consensus reached by the finance chiefs sent ripples through global exchange rates, sovereign debt markets, and supply chains. By addressing critical macroeconomic challenges — such as curbing inflation, implementing digital taxation, and advancing green finance — the APEC Finance Ministers’ Joint Statement effectively recalibrated the trajectory of the Asia-Pacific economy.
Closely following the APEC meeting was the Asia-Pacific Financial Forum, during which policymakers, financial titans, and corporate leaders translated grand macroeconomic narratives into actionable business strategies. Discussions centered on the future of regional financial cooperation in the digital age and the identification of new avenues for sustainable growth. The seamless transition between these two high-level financial gatherings allowed the global community to accurately gauge shifting financial trends right from Hong Kong.
Beyond traditional finance, the city has demonstrated its convening power across emerging sectors. The Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference, previously held in Beijing and Shenzhen, relocated to Hong Kong this year. Drawing over 400 domestic and international representatives, the event was held under the theme “Partnering with the Global South on Green Transition, Advancing Sustainable Development Worldwide”. Discussions highlighted solar energy in Africa, light rail systems in Southeast Asia, and wind power in Central Asia. Concurrently, the Domain World Conference 2026 brought together global domain providers and brand investors to negotiate the valuation and trade of domain names.
Adding to this intellectual vibrancy, the 17th International Conference on Cognitive Infocommunications facilitated high-level brainstorming among the world’s leading experts in machine learning and telecommunications. Meanwhile, the 62nd International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress, often dubbed “the Olympics of landscape architecture,” gathered top-tier professionals to discuss the harmonious integration of humanity and nature across watersheds and coastlines. The Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit 2026, themed “Globalization of Knowledge”, convened academic leaders from over 50 top-tier universities across more than 20 countries to tackle major issues such as the internationalization of higher education, industry-academia synergy, and the strategic development of the Northern Metropolis University Town.
Catalyzing cross-sector growth and upgrading the local economy, this convention boom has delivered both immediate economic dividends and long-term strategic advantages. On a direct level, the influx of international delegates has catalyzed a surge in local consumption. Hotels in the Wan Chai, Admiralty, and Causeway Bay districts operated at full capacity, with restaurants booked weeks in advance. In this sense, every high-profile conference acts as an economic engine.
More profoundly, these gatherings generate substantial commercial opportunities and institutional trust. The APEC joint statement, for instance, provides a crucial anchor of stability for Asia-Pacific capital. Similarly, the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference effectively bridged the robust infrastructure demand of the Global South with abundant global capital, positioning Hong Kong as the indispensable intermediary for green bond issuance, international arbitration, and risk management. At the Domain World Conference, finalized transactions reflected a broader revaluation of digital brand assets. Ultimately, these materialized partnerships will translate into tangible economic growth for Hong Kong and partners. True global stature is never self-proclaimed; it is earned when the international community repeatedly chooses a city as the staging ground for its most consequential dialogues. The global community is showing its confidence in Hong Kong through its presence, and the city is reaping the dividends.
Capitalizing on this momentum to deepen its global integration, Hong Kong can draw three critical insights from this succession of international events.
First, the city’s ability to host the APEC Finance Ministerial Meeting is intrinsically linked to its fundamental institutional pillars: the free flow of capital, a robust common law system, a simple and low tax regime, and visa-free access for passport holders from over 150 countries and regions. These attributes are the natural extension of the “one country, two systems” framework. Global finance chiefs and investors choose Hong Kong because they trust that agreements forged here are protected by a globally recognized legal system and are internationally enforceable.
Second, hosting major events tests a city’s hard and soft power — an arena where Hong Kong excels. For conferences on green bonds, it offers a mature sustainable finance platform; for artificial-intelligence meetings on tech commercialization, it provides top-tier universities and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s supply chains. Behind the city’s superconnector role lies the deep expertise of countless lawyers, accountants, financiers and researchers.
Finally, the frequent hosting of global events offers a key takeaway: The city must go beyond merely being an excellent host. While continuing to attract major international conferences, Hong Kong must also actively export its own initiatives, standards, and solutions. Becoming a global convention hub is not the end goal, but a way to enhance its overall international competitiveness.
The author is vice-chairman of the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and chairman of the Hong Kong New Era Development Thinktank.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
