Hong Kong continues to be world's freest economy
Hong Kong continues to be rated as the world's freest economy in the Economic Freedom of the World 2026 Annual Report released by the Fraser Institute today (October 6). Among the five areas of assessment, Hong Kong again ranks first in "Freedom to trade internationally" and remains second globally in "Regulation".
Photo source: FB@Tamar Talk
A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said, "The Fraser Institute's report once again affirms Hong Kong's strengths as a free-market economy and its open, efficient and fair business environment. Amid increasing global economic uncertainties and rising trade protectionism, Hong Kong remains firmly committed to maintaining its free port status, zero-tariff policy, and simple and low tax regime, providing a secure, stable, fair, predictable and internationalised business and investment environment for investors and entrepreneurs from around the world.
"Our country remains committed to high-standard two-way opening up and continues to achieve breakthroughs in technological innovation, remaining a major stabilising force and driving engine for global economic growth. Under the 'one country, two systems' framework, Hong Kong enjoys the strong support of the motherland and maintains close connections with the world. While offering convenient access to both the Mainland and international markets, Hong Kong continues to practise common law in both Chinese and English. It also offers financial, shipping, trading and professional services that align seamlessly with international best standards, supported by an efficient government structure and a clean and professional civil service. These strengths enable Hong Kong to fully leverage its roles and functions as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder', making it the best gateway for Mainland enterprises to enter international markets and for overseas enterprises to enter the Mainland. So far this year, Hong Kong has continued to scale new heights in various international competitiveness rankings covering finance, innovation and technology (I&T), education and talent, reflecting wide recognition by the international community of Hong Kong's core strengths and the HKSAR Government's efforts to promote high-quality social and economic development.
The Central Government Offices, Photo source: reference image
"Indeed, Hong Kong's favourable business and living environment, coupled with the proactive and concerted efforts of the HKSAR Government and all sectors of the community, continues to attract enterprises and talent from around the world. Last year, the number of companies in Hong Kong with parent companies overseas or in the Mainland exceeded 11 000, an increase of 11 per cent over 2024 and a record high. The Government established the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) in 2022 to adopt a strategic and targeted approach to attracting globally representative I&T enterprises with high growth potential to establish a presence in Hong Kong. To date, OASES has successfully attracted over 120 strategic enterprises, including many global industry leaders with a market capitalisation or valuation exceeding HK$100 billion and possessing cutting-edge technologies. In the first eight months of this year, Invest Hong Kong also assisted about 520 Mainland and overseas enterprises in setting up or expanding their businesses in Hong Kong. On talent attraction, from end-2022 to August this year, over 670 000 applications were received and over 470 000 were approved under various talent admission schemes, with more than 310 000 individuals having arrived in Hong Kong. Over the past year, Hong Kong recorded considerable growth in funds raised through initial public offerings, bank deposits and assets under management in the asset and wealth management business, reflecting international investors' confidence in and recognition of Hong Kong.
"Last month, the Chief Executive announced 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 the 2026 Policy Address, setting out a blueprint for Hong Kong's social and economic development, proactively aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and development strategies, and enabling Hong Kong to better integrate into and serve the overall national development while achieving substantial progress in its own development. Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan states that Hong Kong will remain committed to a free and open economic system and the free flow of capital, goods, people and information, all of which are Hong Kong's core strengths under the 'one country, two systems' framework. Looking ahead, with the staunch support of our country, the HKSAR Government will continue to work with all sectors of the community to further enhance Hong Kong's roles and functions as 'four centres and one hub' and accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis. These efforts will inject stronger impetus into social and economic development, open up broader development prospects for local enterprises and the public, and provide greater opportunities for enterprises, investors and talent worldwide."
Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image
Traffic and transport arrangements for redeveloped Huanggang Port
The Transport Department (TD) said today (October 7) that, to facilitate the redeveloped Huanggang Port coming into operation to provide 24-hour services, traffic and public transport arrangements will be implemented accordingly to provide members of the public and visitors with a convenient and smooth travel experience. The public should use other land and rail boundary control points (BCPs) based on their needs and not rush to the new port for crossing the boundary.
Franchised buses, green minibuses and cross-boundary coaches
The Huanggang Port will be served by seven franchised bus routes (including one overnight route), six green minibus (GMB) routes (including three overnight routes), and five short-haul cross-boundary coach (CBC) routes operating round the clock, carrying passengers directly to various districts across the city. Among them, the franchised bus routes will pass through nine MTR stations and four bus-bus interchanges, providing convenient interchanges with railways or buses to different districts. Cross-boundary travellers should plan their journeys early, pay attention to the daytime and overnight service hours of various routes, and choose suitable ones for travelling to and from the new port.
Route
Destination
Service areas
Franchised bus daytime routes
KMB B10
Kwai Tsui Estate Public Transport Interchange
Tai Lam Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange, Tsing Yi, Kwai Fong
KMB B11
Tin Fu Bus Terminus
San Tin Public Transport Interchange, Yuen Long Town Centre, Tin Shui Wai
NLB B12
Wu Kai Sha Station Public Transport Interchange
San Tin Public Transport Interchange, Tai Po (Kwong Fuk Bus-Bus Interchange), Science Park, Ma On Shan
Citybus B13
Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort)
San Tin Public Transport Interchange, Tai Lam Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange, Western Harbour Crossing Bus-Bus Interchange, Sheung Wan, Central, North Point, Sai Wan Ho, Chai Wan
Citybus B14
Kai Tak (Olympic Avenue)
Tai Lam Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange, Kai Tak Sports Park
*Provides daily service during morning and evening peaks at initial launch
Citybus B15
Castle Peak Bay
Hung Shui Kiu, Tuen Mun Town Centre, Tuen Mun Station, Tuen Mun South
*Provides daytime service on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
Franchised bus overnight route
KMB NB73
Sha Tin Town Centre
San Tin Public Transport Interchange, Sheung Shui Station, Tai Po (Kwong Fuk Bus-Bus Interchange), Sha Tin Town Centre
GMB daytime routes
44B
Tuen Mun Station
Leung King Estate, Tuen Mun Hospital
44B1
Tuen Mun Ferry Pier
Tuen Mun Town Centre, Hung Kiu
78
Pat Heung Road (near Tai Lam Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange)
Tai Lam Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange, Kam Sheung Road Station
GMB overnight routes
79S
Tin Shui Wai (Grandeur Terrace)
Long Ping Station, Yuen Long Town Centre
N44B
Tuen Mun Ferry Pier
Tuen Mun Town Centre, Leung King Estate, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun Station
616S
Mong Kok (Sai Yeung Choi Street South)
Mong Kok, Kowloon Tong
Short-haul CBC routes (24-hour operation)
*Some stopping points will only be in use during specific hours
Mong Kok
Arran Street (outside Golden Plaza)
Cheung Sha Wan, Lai Chi Kok
Yau Tsim
Austin Road Cross Boundary Coach Terminus
Tsim Sha Tsui (China Hong Kong City), Jordan
Kwun Tong
Lam Tin Station Public Transport Interchange
Kwun Tong (Millennium City), Kowloon Bay Station, Diamond Hill Station
Wan Chai
Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange
Wan Chai (near Southorn Centre), Sheung Wan
Tsuen Wan
Tsuen Wan Discovery Park Public Transport Interchange/Tsuen Wan Station Public Transport Interchange (overnight service)
Tsuen Wan Town Centre, Tsuen Wan West Station
The TD has arranged dedicated public transport lanes leading directly to San Sham Road from Fanling Highway and San Tin Highway for use by franchised buses, GMBs and CBCs to the new port, bypassing San Tin Interchange and thereby enhancing the efficiency of travelling to and from the port. A public transport buffer area has also been set up near the port building. Public transport operators (PTOs) will arrange backup vehicles in the buffer area, which can proceed to the port to pick up passengers within a short time to strengthen service frequencies when necessary, aiming to expedite the dispersal of passenger flows during peak periods.
Taxis
To ensure smooth overall traffic at the port, drivers of vacant urban and New Territories taxis as well as pre-booked fleet taxis must first obtain a queue ticket at the public transport buffer area, and then proceed to respective taxi stands or the designated taxi fleet pick-up area at the port's public transport interchange (PTI) to pick up passengers in order.
As for fleet taxis, a pre-booked fleet taxi waiting area set up inside the port building features a service station and a display panel for fleet taxi arrival information. Passengers who have pre-booked a fleet taxi should first register at the service station by showing the vehicle registration mark to the fleet taxi ambassadors. The ambassadors will dynamically deploy taxis waiting at the public transport buffer area to the dedicated pick-up area to ensure passengers can board quickly and smoothly.
The Huanggang Port PTI also provides convenient facilities for passenger queueing and boarding. Service ambassadors and PTO personnel will assist passengers at major locations in choosing suitable services and boarding in an orderly manner. Additional traffic signs and road markings have been installed at the PTI and on major connecting roads such as the Lok Ma Chau Bridge.
A spokesman for the TD said, "We will closely monitor passenger demand jointly with PTOs and step up or adjust services as necessary. Passengers should refer to PTOs' notices, websites, mobile apps or heed onboard broadcasts to understand route details, stop locations and service hours.
"During the initial stage of commissioning of the Huanggang Port, traffic in the vicinity may be relatively busy. Members of the public are urged to use other land and rail BCPs based on their needs for travelling between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and not to rush to the new port for crossing the boundary. Cross-boundary travellers who need to use the Huanggang Port should plan their journeys in advance and allow sufficient time to adapt to the new arrangements. The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will closely monitor traffic and public transport conditions of the new port," the spokesman added.
The TD has briefed the Traffic and Transport Committees under relevant District Councils as well as the local and cross-boundary transport trades on the traffic and transport arrangements. Members of the public and visitors may visit the TD's designated webpage "Access to Huanggang Port" for details, or heed the latest traffic news via the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk), the HKeMobility mobile app as well as radio and television broadcasts.
The Transport Department (TD) said today (October 7) that, to facilitate the redeveloped Huanggang Port coming into operation to provide 24-hour services, traffic and public transport arrangements will be implemented accordingly to provide members of the public and visitors with a convenient and smooth travel experience. The public should use other land and rail boundary control points based on their needs and not rush to the new port for crossing the boundary. Photo shows the Deputy Commissioner for Transport/Transport Services and Management, Ms Candy Kwok (second left); the Assistant Commissioner for Transport/New Territories, Miss Amy Tse (second right); the Principal Transport Officer/New Territories of the TD, Ms Vivian Kwan (first right); and the Chief Traffic Engineer/New Territories West of the TD, Ms Vilian Sum (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
