Public consultation on implementation of Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework and amendments in relation to Common Reporting Standard launched
The Government today (December 9) launched a public consultation on the implementation of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and amendments in relation to the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) promulgated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has long been supportive of international efforts to enhance tax transparency and combat cross-border tax evasion. Since 2018, Hong Kong has been exchanging financial account information automatically with partner jurisdictions on an annual basis in accordance with the CRS developed by the OECD, which enables the relevant tax authorities to utilise such information for tax assessments, as well as for detecting and combating tax evasion.
In light of the rapid development of digital asset markets in recent years, in 2023, the OECD published CARF to provide for the automatic exchange of tax information on crypto-asset transactions with partner jurisdictions on an annual basis, and incorporated into the CRS new digital financial products and enhanced requirements regarding reporting and due diligence.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said,"To demonstrate our commitment to promoting international tax co-operation and combating cross-border tax evasion, as well as to fulfil our international obligations, Hong Kong will make amendments to the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (the Ordinance) for implementing CARF and the newly amended CRS. This is also of paramount importance in maintaining Hong Kong's reputation as an international financial and commercial centre.
"The Government plans to complete the necessary local legislative amendments in the coming year, with a view to commencing the automatic exchange of tax information on crypto-asset transactions with relevant partner jurisdictions starting from 2028, and implementing the newly amended CRS starting from 2029. Hong Kong will implement the automatic exchange of tax information with suitable partners, which are required to meet the standards relating to the protection of data confidentiality and security, on a reciprocal basis."
In addition, since 2024, the OECD has been conducting the second round of a peer review on the effectiveness of Hong Kong's administrative framework for implementing the CRS. Having taken into consideration the OECD's views, the Government proposes, through amendments to the Ordinance, to introduce mandatory registration for financial institutions to enhance identification, as well as to raise the penalty levels and enhance the enforcement mechanism, in order to maintain a favourable rating in the OECD's peer reviews and maintain Hong Kong's reputation as an international financial and commercial centre.
The consultation paper is available on the website of the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (www.fstb.gov.hk/tb/en/others/consultation.htm). It outlines CARF and the newly amended CRS promulgated by the OECD, and sets out in detail the abovementioned legislative proposals and relevant implementation matters (including reporting procedures, record-keeping requirements, penalty levels and enforcement, etc). Members of the public are welcome to forward their views on the proposals by post (24/F, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong) or email (carf@fstb.gov.hk) by February 6, 2026.
Source: AI-found images
External Direct Investment of Hong Kong in 2024
Hong Kong's external direct investment (DI) statistics for 2024 were released today (December 9) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).
Stocks of DI
At the end of 2024, the total stock of Hong Kong's inward DI (i.e. the position of Hong Kong's DI liabilities) increased by 9.1% over a year earlier to $20,049.6 billion. Its ratio to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at 631% in 2024. The increase in 2024 was mainly attributable to the positive DI inflow to Hong Kong.
As for the total stock of Hong Kong's outward DI (i.e. the position of Hong Kong's DI assets), it increased by 6.7% over 2023 to $18,890.0 billion. Its ratio to GDP was 595% in 2024. The increase in 2024 was mainly attributable to the positive DI outflow to enterprises outside Hong Kong, partly offset by the decrease resulting from exchange rate variations, as some DI assets are denominated in other currencies.
Analysed by immediate source of investment, Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) were the two largest sources for Hong Kong's inward DI, with a share of 32.7% and 30.4% respectively at end-2024. Analysed by major economic activity of Hong Kong enterprise groups (HKEGs) which had received inward DI, those engaged in investment and holding, real estate, professional and business services took up the largest share, at 68.2% at end-2024. This was followed by banking, at 11.0%; and import/export, wholesale and retail trades, at 10.5%.
Analysed by immediate destination of investment, the Mainland and the BVI were also the two largest destinations for Hong Kong's outward DI, with a share of 52.1% and 27.6% respectively at end-2024. Analysed by major economic activity of HKEGs which had made outward DI, those engaged in investment and holding, real estate, professional and business services took up the largest share, at 78.8% at end 2024. This was followed by import/export, wholesale and retail trades, at 8.6%.
Flows of DI
In 2024, total DI inflow amounted to $982.4 billion, larger than that of $954.9 billion in 2023. On the other hand, total DI outflow in 2024 amounted to $629.2 billion, smaller than that of $752.9 billion in 2023. Taking the inflow and outflow together, a net DI inflow of $353.2 billion was recorded in 2024.
Analysed by immediate source of investment, the Mainland was the major source of Hong Kong's DI inflow in 2024, amounting to $466.0 billion. The BVI came next, at $237.0 billion. Analysed by major economic activity of HKEGs which had received DI inflow, those engaged in investment and holding, real estate, professional and business services attracted the largest amount in 2024, at $588.0 billion.
Analysed by immediate destination of investment, the Mainland accounted for a predominant share of Hong Kong's DI outflow in 2024, at $372.9 billion. The BVI came next, at $198.9 billion. Analysed by major economic activity of HKEGs which had made DI outflow, those engaged in investment and holding, real estate, professional and business services took up the largest amount, at $452.9 billion.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that Hong Kong remains one of the world's major destinations for and sources of external DI. Total DI inflow and outflow continued to be significant in 2024, at $982.4 billion and $629.2 billion respectively. The stocks of overall inward and outward DI also increased further to $20,049.6 billion and $18,890.0 billion (631% and 595% of GDP) respectively at end-2024. These testify Hong Kong’s status as a prominent international centre for finance and commerce and a preferred base for multinational corporations, while also reflect strong global investor confidence in Hong Kong's economic prospects.
Hong Kong's DI covers a large geographical spread and a wide range of economic activities, with the Mainland featuring prominently both as a source and as a destination. This underscores Hong Kong's pivotal roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder".
The Government will continue to leverage on Hong Kong's unique advantages in fulfilling its role in connecting the Mainland with the world. Persistent efforts have been made in deepening Hong Kong's international connectivity on all fronts, and proactive measures have been taken in attracting more Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a platform to go global. The Government will also strengthen its policies for bringing in more strategic enterprises to set up in Hong Kong, thereby promoting high-quality development.
Further Information
DI represents external investment in which an investor of an economy acquires a lasting interest and a significant degree of influence or an effective voice in the management of an enterprise located in another economy. For statistical purpose, an effective voice is taken as being equivalent to a holding of 10% or more of the voting power in an enterprise.
According to the international statistical standards, the total stocks and flows of DI presented above are compiled based on the "asset/liability principle", while detailed DI figures analysed by country/territory and by major economic activity of HKEGs are based on the "directional principle". Owing to the adoption of different presentation principles, the total stocks and flows of DI are different from the sums of the detailed DI figures by country/territory or by major economic activity of HKEGs. However, the overall direct investment balance compiled from figures based on these two presentation principles respectively is the same.
Tables 1 and 2 show the positions (i.e. stocks) and flows of inward DI in Hong Kong by selected major investor country/territory and by major economic activity of HKEGs respectively for 2023 and 2024. Similar statistics on outward DI from Hong Kong are presented in Tables 3 and 4.
More detailed statistics are given in the report "External Direct Investment Statistics of Hong Kong 2024". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1040003&scode=260).
Enquiries about the DI statistics may be directed to the Balance of Payments Branch (2) of the C&SD at 3903 7024.
Source: AI-found images
