Hong Kong records higher rating in Global Financial Centres Index and maintains third place globally
Z/Yen from the United Kingdom and the China Development Institute from Shenzhen published the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) 39 Report today (March 26). Hong Kong's overall rating increased further by one point to 765, maintaining third place globally and first place in Asia Pacific. The rating gaps with first place (New York) and second place (London) were only two points and one point respectively.
A Government spokesman said, "The report reaffirms Hong Kong's leading position and strengths as an international financial centre. Hong Kong continued to rank first globally in fintech offerings. In the assessment by practitioners in various financial industry sectors, Hong Kong's rankings generally improved. Notably, Hong Kong's rankings in the 'banking' and 'finance' sectors leapt to first place worldwide. Hong Kong continued to top the global ranking in the 'insurance' sector, while the ranking in the 'investment management' sector rose to second place globally. In addition, Hong Kong's rankings in the five areas of competitiveness, namely 'business environment', 'human capital', 'infrastructure', 'financial sector development' and 'reputational and general', continued to stay among the global top three positions."
The Government spokesman added, "This year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. As the world is evolving quickly, Hong Kong will respond to the current complex and ever-changing global political and economic landscape with an innovative mindset. At the same time, we will proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, foster new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions and accelerate the high-quality economic and financial development. Hong Kong will continue to leverage its unique advantages under the 'one country, two systems' principle to play its role as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder' and seize the opportunities emerging from the reshaping of the global investment landscape.
"As a leading international financial centre, Hong Kong will drive 'Finance+', capitalising on the city's robust financial system to better serve the real economy and industries with competitive edge, and press ahead with mutual empowerment of finance and innovation and technology. In so doing, we can leverage our strengths to serve the country's needs. A series of policy measures announced in the Budget last month would help Hong Kong's financial services grow bigger and stronger.
"We will continue to enhance the securities market and improve market efficiency, including encouraging more overseas and Mainland enterprises to list in Hong Kong, further optimising the regimes for listing on the Main Board and issuing structured products, and pushing forward the shortening of the stock settlement cycle to T+1, among other measures. To enrich mutual-market access, we will also continue to work on the inclusion of an RMB trading counter under Stock Connect's Southbound trading for Hong Kong stocks.
"As a global offshore Renminbi (RMB) business hub, Hong Kong will continue to leverage its unique strengths and proactively align with national development strategies, promoting more measures on better using offshore RMB and Chinese Government Bonds, and pursuing greater openness of RMB capital accounts.
"This year, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will set up an office in Hong Kong that serves both its financing and operational functions. This move reflects the bank's confidence in Hong Kong's strengths as an international financial centre, leveraging our vibrant capital markets, world-class professional services, and diversified financial products to support its operations in financing, bond issuance, and financial management, among others.
"Hong Kong is committed to extending the financial value chain on top of our existing strengths in finance. The Government is expediting the building of an international gold trading market. We are working at full steam to establish Hong Kong's central clearing system for gold, with a view to commencing trial operations this year. We will also explore offering tax incentives for eligible institutions conducting gold trading and settlement in Hong Kong, as well as assisting the industry in developing a training framework.
"On asset and wealth management business, Hong Kong-domiciled authorised funds recorded net inflows of HK$357 billion last year, fully reflecting the affirmation and confidence of international investors in the Hong Kong market. The development of the family office ecosystem continues to be robust. As of the end of last year, the number of single family offices in Hong Kong exceeded 3 380, representing growth of more than 25 per cent over the past two years. Hong Kong will continue to take a multipronged approach, including enhancing tax arrangements, implementing the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme and conducting global investment promotion activities, to vigorously drive the development of family offices and consolidate Hong Kong's functions as an international asset and wealth management centre and an international risk management centre.
"The Government will continue to actively develop fintech and digital assets. The regime for stablecoin issuers was implemented in August last year, and the first batch of licences will be issued soon. We are also formulating the legislative proposals regarding the licensing regimes for digital asset dealing services and custodian services to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework, with a view to developing Hong Kong as a global digital asset innovation centre.
"On green and sustainable finance, Hong Kong was confirmed last year by the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation as among the initial set of jurisdictions having set a target of fully adopting the International Financial Reporting Standards - Sustainability Disclosure Standards. We will support the exploration with the Chinese Mainland and international multilateral financial institutions of the establishment of a Hong Kong-based Green Technology Projects Accelerator. The Accelerator will provide incubation, acceleration, and empowerment services for green technology projects in Belt and Road regions, and serve as an innovative demonstration of Hong Kong's green finance-related services."
The GFCI Report has been released every March and September since 2007. In GFCI 39, 120 financial centres were assessed, and Hong Kong ranked third globally with an overall rating of 765.
Source: AI-found images
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Eastern |
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho |
9.1% |
1.4 |
Islands |
Tung Chung |
2.0% |
1.0 |
Kowloon City |
Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan |
6.7% |
1.5 |
Tai Po |
Tai Po East |
2.2% |
2.0 |
Tai Po West |
15.5% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun South |
9.1% |
1.4 |
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
Area Gravidtrap Index |
Area Density Index |
Central and Western |
Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui |
16.8% |
1.3 |
Eastern |
Chai Wan |
15.4% |
1.0 |
North Point and Quarry Bay |
18.9% |
1.4 |
Southern |
Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau |
20.8% |
1.7 |
Sha Tin |
Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan |
18.3% |
1.4 |
Tsuen Wan |
Tsuen Wan Town |
6.9% |
2.3 |
The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.
With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.
For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
