Financial Secretary Promotes Hong Kong Investment Opportunities During Zurich Visit

FS visits Zurich, Switzerland

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, arrived in Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday (May 21, Zurich time) and began his visit.

After arrival in Zurich, Mr Chan held a roundtable meeting with representatives of a number of banks, asset management institutions and family offices. He introduced the advantages and new development opportunities of Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in areas including finance, innovation, trade and advanced manufacturing, and had in-depth exchanges on issues of concern to the participants. In addition, he also met with representatives of a major Swiss bank.

At the roundtable meeting, Mr Chan elaborated on Hong Kong's economic and financial situation and latest developments. He pointed out that Hong Kong's economy had maintained steady growth over the past two years or so, while its financial markets had remained active. Against the backdrop of the country's strong support for Mainland enterprises to go global, more enterprises have raised funds in Hong Kong's stock market to develop their overseas businesses. Hong Kong ranked first globally in terms of funds raised through initial public offerings both last year and so far this year, attracting many investors from the Mainland and overseas. At the same time, amid the current geopolitical landscape, many international investors regard Hong Kong as a safe harbour for capital and a springboard for diversified investment into the Mainland market, contributing to the strong performance of Hong Kong's stock market. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is actively promoting continuous reform of the stock market, expanding connectivity with capital markets around the world, enhancing market liquidity and providing investors with more diversified investment choices. In various areas such as fixed-income and currency markets, asset and wealth management, and green finance, Hong Kong continues to promote product innovation and expand market scale. In addition, Hong Kong is actively developing gold and commodities trading markets to enrich the offerings of its international financial centre.

He also said that the substantial demand from high-net-worth individuals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia for cross-border asset allocation has prompted many overseas asset and wealth management institutions to expand their businesses in Hong Kong. On financial innovation, Hong Kong adopts a proactive and open attitude, promoting the application and development of digital assets under the principle of placing equal emphasis on prudent regulation and market development.

Mr Chan pointed out that China's 15th Five-Year Plan clearly sets out the promotion of the development of a modernised industrial system, high-level opening up and co-ordinated regional development. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area enjoys strong advantages in frontier technology, advanced manufacturing, investment ecosystem and the pooling of high-end talent, and represents an important opportunity that international investors should not miss. The HKSAR Government is making every effort to promote Hong Kong's innovation and technology development, accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and actively attract enterprises and high-end talent to establish a presence in Hong Kong, injecting stronger impetus into the city's future economic development.

He welcomed Swiss financial institutions and family offices to expand their investment and business scale in Hong Kong, allocate more assets to the Hong Kong and Mainland markets, and seize these vibrant investment opportunities.

Yesterday, Mr Chan also called on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich and for the Principality of Liechtenstein, Ms Chen Yun. He introduced Hong Kong's latest economic and social situation, and exchanged views with her on China-Europe relations and the global political and economic landscape.

Mr Chan will hold a roundtable meeting with representatives of local venture capital and private equity funds this morning (May 22, Zurich time). He will depart Zurichin the afternoon and arrive back in Hong Kong tomorrow morning (May 23, Hong Kong time).

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (second left), called on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich and for the Principality of Liechtenstein, Ms Chen Yun (second right), and the Deputy Consul General, Mr Yu Xiong (first right), in Zurich, Switzerland, on May 21 (Zurich time). The Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (first left), also attended. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (fourth left), called on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich and for the Principality of Liechtenstein, Ms Chen Yun (third left), and the Deputy Consul General, Mr Yu Xiong (second left), in Zurich, Switzerland, on May 21 (Zurich time). The Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (second right), also attended. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (first left), attended a roundtable meeting with representatives of various banks, asset and wealth management institutions and family offices in Zurich, Switzerland, on May 21 (Zurich time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (first left), attended a roundtable meeting with representatives of various banks, asset and wealth management institutions and family offices in Zurich, Switzerland, on May 21 (Zurich time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (third right), attended a roundtable meeting with representatives of various banks, asset and wealth management institutions and family offices in Zurich, Switzerland, on May 21 (Zurich time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS visits Zurich, Switzerland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS visits Zurich, Switzerland (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS visits Zurich, Switzerland (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS visits Zurich, Switzerland (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS visits Zurich, Switzerland (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS visits Zurich, Switzerland (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 22) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). As temperatures rise and humidity increases, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Dengue fever

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From May 15 to yesterday (May 21), the CHP recorded two imported DF cases. During the incubation periods, one of the patients had travelled to Malaysia, while the other patient had been to multiple countries, namely Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

Hong Kong has recorded 19 DF cases so far this year, including 18 imported cases and one local case. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, including 156 imported cases and five local cases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. From January to July 2025, over 4 million cases and over 3 000 DF-related deaths were reported in 97 countries/territories.

DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. In 2025, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Malaysia and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases. Meanwhile, as of May 10, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 97 cases in Guangdong Province this year, including eight locally infected cases. Guangdong Province recorded over 3 500 locally infected cases in 2025.

Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP'swebsite.

Chikungunya fever

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From May 15 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, both of which were imported cases. Hong Kong 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. Meanwhile, as of May 10, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded four cases in Guangdong Province this year, including one locally infected case.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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According to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), 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. Therefore, the CHP reminded members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, 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