Hong Kong's Unique Advantages Highlighted at Wealth for Good Summit Gala Dinner

Speech by FS at Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit Gala Dinner

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit Gala Dinner today (March 26):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. What a pleasure it is to be here again with you tonight.

I am sure you all came away inspired by today's insightful discussions and engaging speakers.

Tonight, let me touch on a recurrent subject that has come up in many of the meetings this week: why Hong Kong and not another city in the region or the Mainland.

Let me explain why.

Under the "one country, two systems" arrangement, Hong Kong is where the China advantage and international advantage converge. For foreign companies seeking to tap the vast consumer market of China and North Asia, Hong Kong is the natural choice.

Take the Greater Bay Area for example. It is home to 87 million people, with a per capita GDP of US$23,000, or US$40,000, on a purchasing power parity basis. Its young population aspires to quality products and services from around the world. It is a massive consumer market. Hong Kong is your gateway to the Mainland market.

At the same time, through the Northbound Connect Schemes, you can also access the Mainland's stocks, bonds, ETFs (exchange-traded funds) and derivatives via Hong Kong, capturing the emerging investment opportunities in an efficient and familiar business and legal environment.

Our country's steady and long-term growth prospects are promising, not to mention breakthroughs in technological innovation. The recent DeepSeek phenomenon has very much spoken for this.

"Deep", indeed, is a key word for Hong Kong's capital markets.

As a leading fund-raising centre, our stock market boasts a capitalisation of US$5 trillion. It raised US$11 billion through IPOs last year, ranking fourth globally. More leading Mainland tech companies are lining up to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. This year, we are expecting to raise US$17 to 20 billion in IPOs.

Consider listing your company on our Stock Exchange. Under the Southbound Connect Schemes, you will be able to access both Mainland and international capital here, greatly enhancing the liquidity and valuation of your stock.

Hong Kong is a city of seamless connectivity. Take a high speed train, and you can reach Shenzhen in 15 minutes, and Guangzhou in 45 minutes. Take a morning plane to Beijing or Shanghai, have a whole day of meetings with your business partners, enjoy a nice dinner and fly back. All in a single day.

The Hong Kong International Airport indeed connects 200 destinations with 1 000 flights each day. Half of the world's population is within five hours' reach.

More than business and investments, Hong Kong offers an enviable lifestyle unmatched by other Asian cities.

Our city is home to scenic hills, spectacular hiking trails, stunning beaches and outlying islands. You can walk to our seaside paths and country parks from the very heart of our skyscraper city. And walking in our city is a safe activity. Hong Kong has excellent law and order. It is one of the safest metropolitan cities in the world.

Some 200 Michelin-recommended restaurants are brimming with East and West culinary fare. We don't impose duty on wine. And duty on spirits has also been lowered just recently.

Hong Kong offers the best education for your children. More than 50 international schools operate in this city, providing a wide range of curricula, including American, British, German-Swiss, Japanese, Korean, and even Singaporean - giving you a plenty of choices. And five of our universities rank among the world's top 100.

Above all, Hong Kong is the ideal place for you to nurture your biggest dreams. Here, artistry meets ambition, and possibility becomes legacy.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here, for taking part in this year's Wealth for Good Summit.

I know you will enjoy tonight's Gala Dinner and the good people all about you, including the very special musical entertainment waiting in the wings for me to stop talking.

Allow me now to propose a toast, to raise our glasses in celebration: to health and prosperity, to an evening, and a lifetime, blessed with inspiration. Cheers!

Speech by FS at Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SFST at Hong Kong Federation of Insurers Cocktail Party 2026: A Grateful Beginning in Unity

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers (HKFI) Cocktail Party 2026: A Grateful Beginning in Unity today (January 16):

Ellick (Chairman of the HKFI, Mr Ellick Tsui), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and fellow colleagues in the insurance sector,

Good evening. As we gather here tonight at the HKFI Cocktail Party 2026, I would like to begin by wishing each of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. May 2026 bring you renewed energy, meaningful achievements, and continued success in all that you do.

Tonight's theme, "A Grateful Beginning in Unity", captures the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose that has always defined our industry. Hong Kong remains one of the world's most open and dynamic insurance centres. We are currently home to around 160 authorised insurers, which 95 incorporated locally, with 65 from the Mainland and over 20 overseas jurisdictions. Remarkably, six of the world's top 10 insurers are authorised to operate here. This strong international presence reaffirms Hong Kong's position as a premier hub for insurance and risk management.

Supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan, we are actively strengthening our roles as an international financial centre and a global risk management centre within the "dual circulation" framework. As a "super connector" and "super value-adder", Hong Kong serves as a vital two-way bridge on helping Mainland enterprises go global while attracting overseas firms to establish and grow their presence here.

I'm delighted to share some exciting recent developments. Hong Kong now hosts six captive insurers, with two new ones established last year alone. This steady growth highlights the strong and sustained appeal of our city for captive solutions. We will continue to proactively invite Mainland and international enterprises to set up captives here, further enhancing our risk management ecosystem.

Another significant milestone came in November last year with the establishment of an independent, commercial marine specialty risk pool. From early 2026, this pool will provide dedicated coverage for Hong Kong and Mainland vessels. It strengthens contingency protection for shipowners, unlocks new business opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative, drives growth in our maritime and insurance sectors, and solidifies Hong Kong's status as a leading international financial and shipping centre.

Ladies and gentlemen, these achievements are the fruit of our collective dedication and unity.

Before I close, I must express my deep appreciation for the industry's outstanding response to the recent tragic Tai Po fire incident. All of you acted swiftly, activating claims processes and relief measures without delay, so that every affected family received timely and comprehensive support. Your actions not only eased immense hardship but also powerfully demonstrated the professionalism, solidarity, and profound social responsibility that define our sector.

As we look to the year ahead, let us build on this grateful beginning: continuing to innovate, serve our community, and elevate Hong Kong as Asia's and the world's premier insurance and risk management hub.

I wish you all a wonderful evening filled with meaningful connections and renewed inspiration. Thank you.