Hong Kong's future growth hinges on meeting society's demands: Paul Chan
Financial Secretary Paul Chan said meeting society's demands is key to new growth, highlighting Hong Kong's stability, open systems, and role in yuan internationalisation. He noted 15 consecutive quarters of GDP growth and over HK$400 billion raised from 121 new listings in 10 months.
Recognising society demands and needs is key to new growth opportunities and future development, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Friday at the Sing Tao Global Economic Summit 2026, amid evolving global economic systems.
Acknowledging that many professionals and enterprises are carefully re-evaluating their career and family bases against the current volatile geopolitical situation, Chan stated that Hong Kong offers social security and stability, solid development, open systems, and the free flow of capital and talent.
Chan said Hong Kong's goal is to build an international financial services system supporting the entire lifecycle of businesses, encompassing not only the stock market but also fixed income, currency, and commodity markets. Under the "Finance+" development strategy, Hong Kong will enable capital to find promising projects and provide suitable funding for companies with technology and market presence, he added.
Hong Kong's development remains optimistic on the global level, Chan asserted, citing the 5th Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit at the beginning of the month, which gathered 180 global financial leaders who observed Hong Kong first hand.
Chan noted that retail sales value climbed 8.3 per cent in the first nine months of the year, while small and medium-sized enterprises are also witnessing progressive business recovery. As China accelerates efforts to strengthen financially, Chan underlined that Hong Kong can play a pivotal role in yuan internationalisation, the construction of an international financial centre, and the gathering of financial talent.
Hong Kong has recorded positive gross domestic product growth for 15 consecutive quarters, with a five-year record high growth in the first three quarters of 5.1 per cent. Chan emphasised that for enterprises, fundraising is not the terminus of a narrative but a strategic springboard toward new markets, citing that over HK$400 billion was raised in the market from 121 new listings in the first 10 months of the year.
