Financial Secretary Champions Greater Bay Area's Role in Asia-Pacific Connectivity at GBA Conference 2026

Speech by FS at Greater Bay Area Conference 2026

Following is the video speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 today (September 3):

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, Photo source: reference image

Honourable Vice-Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chief Convenor of the Hong Kong Coalition), Mr Qu Yingpu (Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily), Deputy Director Sun Shangwu (Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Deputy Commissioner Hua You (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning.

It is a pleasure to join you all at the Greater Bay Area Conference, a welcome opportunity to share a few thoughts on the new dynamics taking shape across the Asia-Pacific, and what they mean for connectivity in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The Greater Bay Area, Photo source: reference image

The theme of today's forum is timely, pointing to a question that matters to all of us: the role and prospects of the GBA in the Asia-Pacific.

We are living in an age of profound change, driven by geopolitics and technological transformation. And Asia's collaborative development has entered a new phase. China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) together account for more than two billion people and some US$23 trillion of GDP, and last year their bilateral trade passed the US$1 trillion mark for the first time. But this is not simply a matter of scale. The change is also one of quality. Demand for computing power and equipment, driven by artificial intelligence, is knitting Asian production and supply chains more tightly together. Regional co-operation is far more technology-intensive than it was even a few years ago.

At the same time, the logic of global investment is shifting. If geopolitical uncertainty has sent capital in search of safe harbours, then technological change is fuelling appetite for high-growth assets. Asia is precisely where the two meet. China's technological capabilities - and its ability to scale them - are increasingly recognised worldwide. ASEAN has a young population, a fast-growing middle class and a digital economy on course to reach a trillion US dollars by 2030. And more good news: the region remains safe and stable.

It is these profound changes that make President Xi Jinping's vision of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future all the more far-sighted, and all the more relevant. Economies in the region compete as well as collaborate, but it is increasingly clear that regional synergy - working together to make the pie bigger and help each other grow faster - holds the key to growth.

Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image

A multiplying effect

That brings me to Hong Kong and the GBA. When I speak with friends from overseas, I often say that the GBA is unique in the world. Nowhere else will you find, within a single region, a leading international financial centre, one of the world's most dynamic innovation clusters, advanced manufacturing at scale, and a multimodal transport network linking not just East Asia and Southeast Asia, but the world as well.

As the country's most internationally connected region, the GBA presents a strong value proposition for Asia-Pacific collaboration. It rests on a simple conviction: when we partner, we do not merely add up our strengths - we multiply them, and extend their reach well beyond Asia.

Financial markets are a good case in point. Hong Kong has much to offer economies at various stages of development. That includes, for example, a full range of funding options to support innovation, infrastructure and green transition, and our experience in using fintech to advance financial inclusion.

But more compelling still is connectivity. A few months ago, when securities exchanges from across Asia gathered in Hong Kong, I put a proposition to them: that we strengthen connectivity in standards, in trading, clearing and settlement, in underlying infrastructure, and in products. We can cross-list ETFs (exchange-traded funds). We can list companies and infrastructure assets on one another's markets, and support dual listings. Working together, we can deepen liquidity for one another, lower the cost of cross-border activities, and attract global capital jointly rather than separately - and in doing so, inject fresh momentum into the region's growth.

In frontier technology, too, the GBA has much to offer. Embodied intelligence is a good example. We have world-class AI research, outcome translation, application scenarios and international reach – and in Shenzhen, a robotics supply chain where most components are within half an hour's drive. Here, research moves seamlessly to prototype, testing, mass production and, finally, to market. In short, the GBA is rising as an ecosystem open to cross-border collaboration across a wide range of scenarios.

Commercial aerospace, to which this forum will turn today, is another field of enormous potential. Companies in the sector here from the GBA need access to international capital; yet the Asia-Pacific, for its part, is among the fastest-growing space markets in the world. Here again, connectivity is what matters - connection to global customer networks, and alignment of standards. That is precisely the role Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to play.

Whether in finance or in technology, it's people who matter most. As the world turns its attention to a fast-moving Asia, demand for talent across the region is growing. Hong Kong and our sister cities in the GBA are moving towards a deeper integration of education, research, talent development and industry clusters. For Hong Kong, our bilingual and multicultural environment, excellent law and order, top-class universities, and the ease with which we connect internationally, give us a marked advantage in attracting talent from around the world.

Our ambition is to nurture talent for the country and to build Hong Kong into an international education hub serving the Asia-Pacific and the world. The Northern Metropolis' University Town is the vehicle to realise that ambition. It will be where technology, industry and talent meet. And its impact will be felt far beyond Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image

Concluding remarks

Ladies and gentlemen, let me conclude with a note on APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation). In October, Hong Kong will host the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting; in November, Shenzhen will host the Economic Leaders' Meeting. We see the occasions as an opportunity for the GBA to serve as a vital link, encouraging dialogue, deepening co-operation, fostering partnerships. And, yes, making our own contribution to building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared, brighter future.

I wish this Conference every success, and all of you the very best of health and business. Thank you.

DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 8) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, during very hot weather.

In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:

• Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration;
• Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation;
• Keep indoor areas well ventilated and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, e.g. by opening windows or using a fan or air-conditioning;
• Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking;
• Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and
• Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.

In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, overweight people and outdoor/manual workers are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:

• Infants and young children: Avoid going outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle;
• The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses and overweight people: Pay close attention to health conditions and seek help as soon as possible if experiencing any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell.
• Outdoor/manual workers: Reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.

The DH reminded the public that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner.

Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above), the public should note the following:

• Avoid direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes;
• Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen liberally, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher, when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent;
• Seek shade;
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.

If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

For more health information, the public may visit theCHP's heat strokepage andUV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.

Source: AI-found images