Hui Promotes Hong Kong's Fintech Opportunities at Web Summit Vancouver Amid Growing Global Interest

SFST promotes HK's measures for integrating traditional and digital finance at Web Summit Vancouver

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the Web Summit Vancouver on May 30 (Vancouver time) in Vancouver, Canada, and appealed to tech investors and leaders to grasp the vast business opportunities in the vibrant fintech ecosystem in Hong Kong.

The Web Summit, a mega event for the tech sector, attracted over 10 000 tech investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders across the world each time it is hosted. This is the first time the Summit has been held in Vancouver. Mr Hui engaged in a panel discussion session titled "Local to global: Strategies for tech success", which was joined by the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, Ms Diana Gibson. They had an illuminating discussion on the various approaches taken in building dynamic fintech economies, ranging from developing talent, attracting investment to creating opportunities.

Mr Hui said that as one of the top three international financial centres and a leading international green finance hub, Hong Kong is pioneering the integration of traditional and digital finance with a view to strengthening its position as Asia's gateway for financial innovation. The city is striving to accelerate green and sustainable finance and virtual asset development, with a view to making them key components of the diversified financial value chain. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has already commenced sandbox experimentation of Project Ensemble, which is a new wholesale central bank digital currency project to support the development of the tokenisation market in Hong Kong.

The fintech ecosystem is thriving in Hong Kong, with around 1 100 fintech companies and start-ups, including 10 licensed virtual asset trading platforms, eight digital banks and four virtual insurers. Pledged to continue playing a leading role in facilitating green and sustainable financing and investment for the global agenda of green transition, Hong Kong issued a policy statement last October to set out its policy stance and approach on the responsible application of artificial intelligence in the financial market. The Government also launched a roadmap last December to require publicly accountable entities (PAEs) to adopt the International Financial Reporting Standards - Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB Standards) and to provide a well-defined pathway for large PAEs to fully adopt the ISSB Standards no later than 2028. This brings Hong Kong among the first jurisdictions to align its local requirements with ISSB Standards. As an initial step, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited has already started to implement in phases new climate disclosure requirements to reflect the ISSB Standard No. 2: Climate-related Disclosures since this January.

Mr Hui also updated the Summit on the latest passage of legislation last week establishing a licensing regime for fiat-referenced stablecoins issuers in Hong Kong, as a way to further enhance Hong Kong's regulatory framework on virtual asset activities for supporting the healthy, responsible and sustainable development of Hong Kong's stablecoin and the broader digital asset ecosystem. Hong Kong is among the first batch of regions to have introduced stablecoin legislation and strives to fully implement the licensing regime within this year, with a view to approving the first batch of licences as soon as practicable.

Looking forward, Hong Kong will soon promulgate a second policy statement on the development of virtual assets to explore the convergence of traditional finance and virtual assets. A consultation on the licensing regimes for virtual asset over-the-counter trading services and custodian services will also be conducted within this year.

During his stay at the Summit, Mr Hui visited exhibition booths manned by Hong Kong delegates. He was pleased to learn that the Hong Kong delegates received encouraging feedback over the past few days, reflecting the world-class standard of Hong Kong fintech talent and their appeal to investors.

In the afternoon, Mr Hui paid a courtesy call to the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Vancouver, Mr Yang Shu. Mr Yang said Hong Kong has always been a window of the country to the world and will continue to be. He encouraged Hong Kong to keep up with its work in deepening international exchanges and co-operation.

Before concluding his visit to Canada, Mr Hui visited Bank of Montreal and met with the Senior Vice President & Head, Mid-Market, Commercial Bank, Mr Andrew Hung, and Senior Vice President & Head, BC & Yukon, Mr Greg Vriend. He told them that in a world full of geopolitical uncertainties, Hong Kong's financial market is emerging as a risk-off haven for investors and attracting more investments owing to its connectivity with the Mainland and the world at large, bringing greater prospects for the banking sector and different financial areas.

Mr Hui will return to Hong Kong in the early hours of May 31 (Vancouver time).

SFST promotes HK's measures for integrating traditional and digital finance at Web Summit Vancouver Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SFST promotes HK's measures for integrating traditional and digital finance at Web Summit Vancouver Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SFST promotes HK's measures for integrating traditional and digital finance at Web Summit Vancouver Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SFST promotes HK's measures for integrating traditional and digital finance at Web Summit Vancouver Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SFST promotes HK's measures for integrating traditional and digital finance at Web Summit Vancouver Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SFST promotes HK's measures for integrating traditional and digital finance at Web Summit Vancouver Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images