Hong Kong deputy secretary urges firms to adopt ESG as core strategy
Hong Kong's deputy secretary for justice says ESG has become essential for business competitiveness, citing new government support and professional services. He spoke at the 2026 Hong Kong ESG Awards and ESG Charter ceremony organised by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association.
The deputy secretary for justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said on 7 October that environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices have evolved from a corporate option to a necessity and a core competitiveness for businesses. He made the remarks at the 2026 Hong Kong ESG Awards and ESG Charter presentation ceremony organised by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong.
Over the past two decades, ESG has become a key factor in international investment decisions, with regulators worldwide tightening requirements, the deputy secretary noted. He described Hong Kong as an ideal platform for companies to implement ESG and enhance global competitiveness, given its concentration of high-end talent in legal, accounting, financial and business consulting services.
The deputy secretary highlighted that the Department of Justice published a second volume of case studies in July 2026 under the title "Hong Kong Professional Services Helping Mainland Enterprises Go Global: Successful Case Studies". The volume includes two cases where business consultants provided ESG advisory services to mainland Chinese firms, demonstrating what he called the unique advantage of "successful overseas expansion starts with Hong Kong".
He also pointed to the 2026 Policy Address, in which the chief executive announced that the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's new cross-sector professional services platform for mainland firms expanding overseas would add ESG services to offer more comprehensive support.
The deputy secretary thanked the Chinese Manufacturers' Association for organising the event and praised participating companies from various industries for integrating ESG principles into their operations. He said their decisions not only create value for their own businesses but also build a solid foundation for long-term sustainable development, and he encouraged other enterprises to follow their example.