China vows to ‘go all out’ to highlight Hong Kong’s role as key link between mainland and rest of the world

Vice-premier He Lifeng says Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit an important platform to showcase China’s charm and Hong Kong’s charisma

The summit, hosted by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, kicked off today and will bring together 300 global business leaders, including 90 executive heavyweights

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The investment summit is an important platform to showcase China’s charm and Hong Kong’s charisma, Vice-Premier He Lifeng says in his opening address on November 7, 2023. Photo: May Tse

Published: 9:32am, 7 Nov 2023Updated: 5:14pm, 7 Nov 2023

China’s financial officials promised to “go all out” to highlight Hong Kong’s “unique advantages” as Asia’s financial powerhouse and as the mainland’s link to the rest of the world.

“Hong Kong has always been an important link between our motherland and the rest of the world,” Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng said in pre-recorded remarks at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit. “Hong Kong has a unique advantage as an international financial centre.”

Up to 300 business leaders, including 90 C-level executives from global financial institutions, thronged the Four Seasons Hotel in Central for the second annual summit, organised by Hong Kong’s de facto central bank to mark its 30th birthday. The chief executives of HSBC, Deutsche Bank, UBS and Citi bank are among the attendees.

Delivering his welcoming remarks, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu promised better things are in store for the city’s financial markets.

“We are at the centre of the world stage, creating opportunities for a world of business, finance and investment,” Lee said. “We continue to deepen our economic and financial ties with [the mainland] and the Greater Bay Area. You will hear a great deal more about it, and the far-reaching opportunities for you at today’s summit and tomorrow’s investment [seminar].”

John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, delivers a speech during Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit at Four Seasons Hotel in Central. Photo: May Tse

Wang Jianjun, vice-chairman at China Securities Regulatory Commission said the regulator will “go all out” for anything beneficial to the Hong Kong capital market and that enhances its status.