Hong Kong Releases Report Highlighting Business Environment and Economic Strengths Under 'One Country, Two Systems' Framework

Government releases "Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: Unique Strengths under 'One Country, Two Systems'" (with photos/video)

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (July 30) releasedthe "Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: Unique Strengths under 'One Country, Two Systems'". The report provides all sectors of the community and Mainland and overseas investors with details on Hong Kong's latest developments and strengths, comprehensively showcasing Hong Kong's open, safe, stable, efficient and internationalised business environment. The report has been uploaded to the "Hong Kong Economy" website: www.hkeconomy.gov.hk/en/environment/index.htm.

A Government spokesman said, "Following the report issued in 2021, the HKSAR Government has published another relevant report. With solid facts and data, the latest report systematically and clearly demonstrates to the world that Hong Kong's development has been picking up in recent years as social stability has been restored and the city has emerged from the pandemic. It aims to deepen the understanding of friends and investors worldwide about the latest situation in various fields in Hong Kong, encouraging them to fully leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages of having connections to both the Mainland and the world under 'one country, two systems', its role as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder', and to seize new opportunities that emerge."

The report elaborates on Hong Kong's institutional advantages under the "one country, two systems" arrangement and explains the Government's policy priorities and achievements in promoting high-quality economic development, including continuously strengthening competitiveness, as well as its achievements in attracting capital inflows, pooling together enterprises and attracting talent. It also showcases Hong Kong's latest developments and potential in finance, trade, aviation, maritime, innovation and technology, intellectual property trade, and legal services, as well as culture, sports and tourism.

The spokesman said, "Over the past few years, the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance has restored a stable social environment in Hong Kong. This has not only protected the rights and freedoms of the general public but has also made Hong Kong a safe harbour for attracting international capital and investment. The continued inflow of capital, the promising growth of the stock market, domestic and overseas companies setting up their presence in Hong Kong, talent pursuing development in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong's top rankings in numerous international rankings demonstrate that Hong Kong's open, secure, stable and efficient business environment has been widely recognised internationally, and the confidence of international investors and businesses in Hong Kong is further growing."

In fact, the current-term Government has achieved remarkable results in attracting enterprises, investment and talent. For example, in 2024, the number of companies in Hong Kong with parent companies located outside the territory significantly increased by about 10 per cent, reaching nearly 10 000, while the number of start-ups reached nearly 4 700, both reaching record highs. The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, established over two years ago, has attracted 84 strategic enterprises to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong, including enterprises with a market capitalisation or valuation exceeding $10 billion and engaged in cutting-edge technologies. From January 2023 to the first six months of 2025, Invest Hong Kong assisted over 1 300 overseas and Mainland companies to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong, bringing in investment of more than $160 billion.

In terms of talent, as of June 2025, a total of nearly 500 000 applications under various talent admission schemes were received, nearly 330 000 of which were approved, and nearly 220 000 talents have arrived in Hong Kong.

This year, the performance of Hong Kong's financial markets has steadily improved. The Hang Seng Index recorded an increase of 18 per cent last year and an increase of more than 25 per cent this year so far. The average daily turnover in the stock market for the first half of the year was around $240 billion, with an increase of around 120 per cent. According to the Securities and Futures Commission's Asset and Wealth Management Activities Survey 2024 published this month, Hong Kong's asset and wealth management business showed further growth, with total assets under management at over $35 trillion as of end-2024, representing a year-on-year gain of 13 per cent.

The spokesman said, "In a complex and volatile external environment, Hong Kong is experiencing economic upgrading and transformation, but there are more opportunities than challenges. With the strong support from our country and the collective efforts of the Government, various sectors and residents, Hong Kong will leverage the advantages of the 'one country, two systems' arrangement and capitalise on national development opportunities. By developing innovation and technology and new quality productive forces, and deepening international and regional exchanges and co-operation, Hong Kong will pave the way for new growth prospects."

Source: AI-found images

Government releases "Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: Unique Strengths under 'One Country, Two Systems'" (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government releases "Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: Unique Strengths under 'One Country, Two Systems'" (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government releases "Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: Unique Strengths under 'One Country, Two Systems'" (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

HKSAR Government welcomes court's decision to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on clothing policy for persons in custody

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court today (January 13) to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on the clothing policy for persons in custody (PICs).

The court judgment pointed out that the current clothing policy for PICs, including the requirement for female PICs to wear trousers in summer daytime, was formulated by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) as authorised by the Prison Rules. The Court was satisfied that the CSD had the expertise and experience in the relevant context, and that it had carefully considered various factors, taken into account of professional opinion when making the decision, as well as reviewed the policy continuously. The Court ruled that Chow Hang Tung had failed to demonstrate that the current policy constituted less favourable treatment of a particular gender. The Court pointed out that there was currently no factual evidence to support any assertion that there was widespread concern about the health effects of wearing trousers in summer. In addition, the rule was not absolute, but instead allowed individual PICs to apply for exceptional arrangements in special circumstances. At the same time, the Court also rejected Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she had requested to the CSD in July and August 2024 to wear shorts and had been refused.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, "The ruling of the Court of First Instance confirmed that the CSD's approach is reasonable, justified and lawful. According to Rule 26 of the Prison Rules, the CSD must provide every PIC with a uniform that meets a scale imposed by the Commissioner of Correctional Services. Over the years, the CSD had appointed task groups from time to time to review the clothing arrangements of PICs. These reviews gave ample consideration to numerous factors, including the type of correctional institutions, PICs' varying daily routines and activities involved, the need for thermal, physical and psychological comfort for PICs of different genders, privacy and decency of PICs and the security, good order and discipline of the prison, so as to continuously refine clothing arrangements according to the prevailing circumstances."

The spokesman stated, "Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she requested to wear shorts in summer and was rejected by the CSD is entirely inconsistent with the facts and was rejected by the Court. Besides, the current clothing policy for PICs already provides a degree of flexibility. For example, a PIC may make an application to wear other clothing on medical or non-medical grounds to the CSD, and the CSD would make appropriate arrangements having considered the actual circumstances and relevant factors."

The CSD will continue to impartially implement the relevant rules of the Prison Rules in accordance with the law and commit to providing a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment.

Source: AI-found images