FS promotes HK as super-connector in Europe

Financial Secretary Paul Chan is set to depart for a multi-city European tour on Sunday, with the goal of reinforcing Hong Kong’s global financial standing and attracting international capital. His itinerary includes attending a global ministerial conference on combating terrorist financing in Paris, followed by high-level meetings in Paris, Brussels and Zurich with representatives from major financial institutions, private equity and venture capital funds, as well as heads of family offices. Writing in his weekly blog, Chan said the primary objectives are to “deepen cooperation and attract investment". "Strengthening exchanges at the international level, conducting face-to-face briefings and responding to their questions will help overseas business and financial communities gain a deeper understanding of Hong Kong’s recent developments and progress, as well as its strategic significance for their business expansion in China and the wider Asia-Pacific region," he said. The financial secretary also framed his European outreach within the context of a shifting international landscape. He pointed to the recent meeting between the heads of state of China and the United States and the upcoming visit of the Russian president to China as positive signals. "Amid turbulent geopolitical times, these dialogues will inject stability into the broader international situation and create a more favourable environment for Hong Kong to strengthen its external ties," he said. Chan’s strategy for Hong Kong’s economic future rests on the twin pillars of “AI+” and “Finance+", themes that were central to his most recent budget address. He said that these initiatives aim to help Hong Kong scale new heights in high-quality development by deeply integrating cutting-edge AI technologies into financial and other services. “From medical innovation to fintech, from academic frontiers to industrial applications, Hong Kong is becoming a preferred destination for high-end talent to gather, exchange ideas and engage in cross-sectoral and cross-industry collaboration,” Chan said. He added that the city’s talent and capital convergence effects, driven by the synergy of “AI+” and “Finance+", are mutually reinforcing the continuous emergence of business and investment opportunities. Chan noted that the nation is vigorously developing new productive forces, accelerating the development of strategic emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and biomedicine, while proactively planning for future industries. "We are making every effort to strengthen external ties so that Hong Kong’s openness, stability and development prospects are more widely understood and trusted," he said. "We are moving at full speed to consolidate and enhance our advantages in order to break new ground for Hong Kong’s development amid a changing landscape and contribute to the nation’s overall development." Edited by Tony Sabine