Hong Kong Promotes Legal and Financial Advantages in ASEAN at Jakarta Forum

DSJ promotes Hong Kong's common law system and strengths in legal, financial and other professional services in Indonesia

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, attended an international forum in Jakarta, Indonesia, today (February 10) and met with local political and business leaders to promote Hong Kong's advantages in legal, financial, and other professional services under the "one country, two systems" principle. He emphasised that Hong Kong would continue to play the role of "super connector" and "super value-adder" to strengthen ties between the Chinese Mainland and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In the morning, Dr Cheung attended the China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026, where he shared insights with political and business communities on how Hong Kong's unique strengths can help consolidate and develop economic and trade partnerships with fast-growing economies like Indonesia.

Dr Cheung noted that Hong Kong's distinctive advantages could be highlighted in four aspects. First, "irreplaceable"; Hong Kong serves as an irreplaceable bridge for Indonesian and ASEAN enterprises looking to the market of the Chinese Mainland, and for Chinese companies venturing into Southeast Asia's markets. Second, "interconnected"; as an international financial centre, Hong Kong is deeply interconnected in financial, legal, and other professional fields, reflecting the international best practice. Third, "innovative"; Hong Kong keeps abreast of innovative policies, supporting the development of different industry sectors. For example, initiatives enabling multinational corporations to relocate their domicile to Hong Kong and enjoy the city's simple and low tax regime. Fourth, "indispensable"; the common law system is a cornerstone of Hong Kong's success. With a robust rule of law environment, a bilingual common law system which is internationally compatible as well as clear and transparent laws, Hong Kong is an indispensable international legal hub offering strong and reliable legal support for sophisticated cross-border investments.

Dr Cheung said that Hong Kong stood ready to collaborate with Indonesia and other ASEAN countries by leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages to promote shared prosperity across Asia.

During the Conference, Dr Cheung met with the Chargé d'Affaires ad Interim of the Embassy to the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Indonesia, Mr Zhou Kan. Dr Cheung expressed gratitude to Mr Zhou for his support on the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Dr Cheung remarked that the Department of Justice had been fully supporting Mainland enterprises in leveraging Hong Kong to go global and rolled out the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform and the "Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong's Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global" about two months ago. During the visit, Dr Cheung also visited a Mainland-invested enterprise which had leveraged Hong Kong's professional services to go global successfully in Indonesia. He exchanged views with their senior management on the measures of the Platform in supporting Mainland enterprises.

Dr Cheung also met with the Chairwoman of the Indonesian Employers' Association, Ms Shinta Widjaja Kamdani. Dr Cheung indicated that Hong Kong enjoyed both China advantages and international advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle. He encouraged Indonesian businesses to leverage the city's high-quality professional services, including international legal and financial services, to set up regional business headquarters in Hong Kong and to seize new opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.

In addition, Dr Cheung had a luncheon with leaders from the commercial, financial, and innovation and technology sectors in Indonesia and nearby regions to exchange views on how to better facilitate commercial ties and collaboration between Hong Kong and Indonesia.

In the evening, Dr Cheung attended a Chinese New Year cocktail reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Jakarta. Dr Cheung delivered a speech to over 100 guests from the local government, business, academic, cultural and media sectors. He encouraged them to fully leverage Hong Kong's advantages to explore more business opportunities and strengthen collaboration in the new year, and to deepen the partnership between Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Before the reception, the Director-General of the HKETO in Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, updated Dr Cheung on the HKETO's work. She said that the establishment of the HKETO in Kuala Lumpur in December 2025 has further strengthened Hong Kong's relations with ASEAN countries. With Indonesia being ASEAN's largest economy, the HKETO in Jakarta will continue to enhance promotion work in the region, with a view to fostering bilateral economic, trade and people-to-people ties.

Dr Cheung will visit the China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia tomorrow (February 11) before concluding his visit and returning to Hong Kong.

DSJ promotes Hong Kong's common law system and strengths in legal, financial and other professional services in Indonesia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DSJ promotes Hong Kong's common law system and strengths in legal, financial and other professional services in Indonesia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DSJ promotes Hong Kong's common law system and strengths in legal, financial and other professional services in Indonesia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DSJ promotes Hong Kong's common law system and strengths in legal, financial and other professional services in Indonesia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DSJ promotes Hong Kong's common law system and strengths in legal, financial and other professional services in Indonesia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DSJ promotes Hong Kong's common law system and strengths in legal, financial and other professional services in Indonesia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DSJ promotes Hong Kong's common law system and strengths in legal, financial and other professional services in Indonesia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DSJ promotes Hong Kong's common law system and strengths in legal, financial and other professional services in Indonesia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DSJ promotes Hong Kong's common law system and strengths in legal, financial and other professional services in Indonesia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at SCMP China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 (with video)

Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at theSCMP China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 today (February 10):

Your Excellency Hashim Djojohadikusumo (Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Indonesia for Climate and Energy), Honourable Mr C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), Ms Tammy Tam (Publisher of the South China Morning Post), distinguished guests, officials and friends from Indonesia, ladies and gentlemen,

Hello from Hong Kong. I am glad to join you today at the China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 organised by the South China Morning Post.

Held for the very first time in Jakarta, this conference brings together 500 guests coming from some 20 countries and regions, as well as over 40 speakers from the government, the industry, and various different sectors. As you would agree with me, this year's conference has addressed some of the most pressing issues shaping Asia's future, like global supply chains, digital innovation and wealth management.

I congratulate the South China Morning Post for bringing this meaningful conference to Indonesia, which is home to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat and a key power in the vibrant ASEAN community, which now counts 11 member states.

ASEAN has long been a close friend of Hong Kong. Since 2010, ASEAN has been our second-largest merchandise trade partner. Our merchandise trade saw a robust 14 per cent growth in 2024. And in just the first 11 months of 2025, our merchandise trade had grown by 28 per cent, year on year. At last count, in 2023, our bilateral services trade with ASEAN hit a record high, amounting to US$18.4 billion. That makes ASEAN our third-largest trading partner in services.

That's certainly helped by the Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN. Since entering into force in 2021, the agreements have provided the certainty, and protection, that businesses look for. Indeed, since the signing of the agreements, Hong Kong's outward investment into ASEAN has recorded a 54 per cent growth. Meanwhile, the number of offices in Hong Kong with parent companies located in ASEAN has risen by 42 per cent.

All these healthy figures demonstrate the success of our shared commitment to deepening regional co-operation. I'm pleased to add that we will increase our annual contribution to the Economic and Technical Co-operation Work Programme, under the FTA (free trade agreement), by 20 per cent, to better support our small and medium-sized enterprises. We are also looking into how Hong Kong and ASEAN could connect our trade single windows, to facilitate electronic exchange of trade documents.

The resounding success of our FTA with ASEAN is testament to our shared commitment to free trade. Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is both committed, and most ready, to bring our relationship with ASEAN to the next level. We look forward to Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) - the largest free trade agreement in the world.

Last year, member economies have adopted the terms of reference of the Accession Working Group. At the 5th RCEP Summit held last October, RCEP leaders, including ASEAN's, unanimously pledged to advance the RCEP accession process.

Hong Kong warmly welcomes the progress. As the world's freest economy, Hong Kong has plenty to contribute to the Partnership. Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that maintains unparalleled connectivity with both the Chinese Mainland and the world. We boast a long tradition of the rule of law, a common law system that resembles most global financial hubs, a simple and law tax regime, and a versatile and professional workforce.

I am thankful to Indonesia, as well as other ASEAN states, for the unwavering support to us in driving forward the accession process. We look forward to the RCEP's next major milestone in setting up the Accession Working Group, and your continuous support in Hong Kong's accession bid.

Amid mounting geopolitical tensions, the world is seeking safe and stable sources of investments and economic partners. Meanwhile, many enterprises in China, our country, are looking to expand their business in overseas markets.

That's why Hong Kong has set up a GoGlobal Task Force last October, to help Mainland enterprises tap into the global market. It will connect Mainland enterprises with emerging markets, those in Southeast Asia very much included, and enhance two-way investment flow. All while leveraging Hong Kong's global network and world-class professional services. Yes, we are happy to do our part in promoting regional co-operation, and bringing about prosperity for all.

In a week, we will be celebrating the Year of the Horse. The horse symbolises vitality and bravery. I wish you all a successful, and energetic, break from the gate in the new year. Enjoy the conference. Thank you.

Source: AI-found images