HKETO Discusses Hong Kong's Role as a Premier International Financial Centre

HKETO, Washington DC hosts panel discussion on Hong Kong as international financial centre at Economic and Trade Express event

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, DC (HKETO, Washington DC), hosted on September 22 (Washington time) a panel discussion titled "What Hong Kong can offer as an International Financial Centre".

The event, presented under the Economic and Trade Express platform, was attended by participants comprising United States (US) federal and local government officials, Congressional staff, representatives of US corporations, business consultancies, think tanks, higher education institutions, diplomats, and professionals from various sectors.

The Director of the HKETO, Washington DC, Ms Elania Luk, in delivering the welcome remarks, highlighted the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan) and Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address just released in Hong Kong. Ms Luk said that the complementary, interlinked strategic blueprints aim to further consolidate and enhance a range of economic centres, particularly with regard to Hong Kong's positioning as a leading international financial centre. Through Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address, Ms Luk said Hong Kong would continue to uphold its reputation as a stable business environment and spur growth by expanding existing financial advantages, including asset management and financing, while encouraging development of innovative financial products and services.

Ms Luk shared recent news that Hong Kong ranks third globally in the Global Financial Centres Index 40 Report published by Z/Yen from the United Kingdom and the China Development Institute from Shenzhen. She highlighted that Hong Kong also ranked first in the Asia Pacific region, strongly reaffirming Hong Kong's leading position and strengths as an international financial centre. Hong Kong continued to rank first globally in fintech offerings, and in first place worldwide in "financial sector development" of the five areas of competitiveness.

"The ranking reaffirms Hong Kong's competitiveness and our determination to play the role of a global 'super connector' and 'super value-adder'", Ms Luk said. She noted that Hong Kong strives to create a stable investment environment and meet the growing appetite for diversified asset allocations.

Ms Luk said that Hong Kong would continue to diversify and expand its financial sector, highlighting developments in asset management, fundraising, and expanding green and sustainable finance offerings.

Following Ms Luk's remarks, the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/ Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Ms Yi Xie, moderated the panel discussion featuring Managing Partner of The Asia Group, LLC, Ambassador Kurt Tong; Senior Counselor at The Cohen Group, Ambassador Craig Allen; the Managing Director of QBN Capital, Dr Frank Tong; and the Chief Representative of New York Office of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Anson Law. The panelists shared objective insights on Hong Kong's business environment, its role as an international financial centre, and the hallmarks of the city's resilience, while offering assessment on how the US business community can leverage the city's comparative advantages.

HKETO, Washington DC hosts panel discussion on Hong Kong as international financial centre at Economic and Trade Express event Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Washington DC hosts panel discussion on Hong Kong as international financial centre at Economic and Trade Express event Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Washington DC hosts panel discussion on Hong Kong as international financial centre at Economic and Trade Express event Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Washington DC hosts panel discussion on Hong Kong as international financial centre at Economic and Trade Express event Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Washington DC hosts panel discussion on Hong Kong as international financial centre at Economic and Trade Express event Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Washington DC hosts panel discussion on Hong Kong as international financial centre at Economic and Trade Express event Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Special traffic arrangements for race meeting in Happy Valley

The Police will implement special traffic arrangements in Happy Valley today (September 23). These arrangements will remain in effect until the race meeting has concluded, spectators have dispersed, and traffic conditions return to normal.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from noon for day meetings or from 6pm onwards for night meetings:

1. Road closure

Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside the HKJC will be rerouted one way northbound;

- Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

1. Road closure

- The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC; and

- Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of the HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

- Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Prohibition for learner drivers

Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

- Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;

- Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;

- Canal Road East; and

- The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm for day meetings, and from 5pm to 11.59pm for night meetings respectively.

During the implementation of the special traffic arrangements, any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the specified areas will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

Depending on the prevailing conditions, other traffic control measures will be implemented. Motorists are advised to exercise patience and tolerance, and take heed of instructions of the police officers on site.

Source: AI-found images