Hong Kong official urges Greater Bay Area firms to adopt ESG for global markets
Hong Kong's Deputy Secretary for Justice says ESG is key for firms entering global markets. Hong Kong offers professional services to help mainland companies meet international standards. The government has published case studies and launched a register to connect firms with ESG expertise.
Hong Kong's Deputy Secretary for Justice addressed the TVB Greater Bay Area Corporate Sustainability Conference 2026 in Shenzhen on 30 October, urging companies in the region to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into their strategies to succeed internationally.
The official described ESG as a 'green channel' to global markets, noting that Hong Kong, as an international financial and legal hub, can provide mainland firms with the professional services needed to meet sustainability requirements. The city's expertise spans law, accounting, finance and business consulting, offering end-to-end support for companies going overseas.
The national 15th Five-Year Plan, the official said, backs Hong Kong's role as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services, helping enterprises 'go global'. Hong Kong's own first five-year plan echoes this, leveraging the common law system under 'one country, two systems' to deliver high-quality legal services for outward-bound firms.
To facilitate access to Hong Kong's professional services, the Department of Justice published two editions of the 'Hong Kong Professional Services Helping Mainland Enterprises Go Global: Success Case Studies' in December 2025 and July 2026, featuring over 210 cases across industries including renewable energy and electric vehicles. The cases span law, accounting, finance and business consulting, including ESG advisory services.
In April 2026, the department also launched a 'Register of Hong Kong Legal Service Providers Supporting Overseas Expansion', which categorises services by type and industry to help mainland firms find suitable providers. The official said the register will be updated regularly to meet demand for cross-border compliance and green transformation.
The 2026 Policy Address by Hong Kong's Chief Executive proposes expanding a cross-sector professional services platform run by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to include ESG services. The official said these measures aim to help firms adopt ESG while opening new opportunities for Hong Kong's professional sector.
The Greater Bay Area, described as a key driver of national economic growth and a frontier for green industry, will benefit from Hong Kong acting as a 'super-connector' and 'super-value-adder', helping mainland firms build ESG governance structures that meet international standards and boost their global competitiveness, the official concluded.
