Experts urge Hong Kong to be a ‘value partner’, not just a ‘superconnector’

Hong Kong should ensure it acts as a “value partner” in addition to its role as a “superconnector” between mainland China and the rest of the world, rather than as a mere facilitator of connections, according to experts including the city’s former commerce chief.

Speaking at the South China Morning Post 2025 China Conference themed “Where Capital Meets Innovation” on Tuesday, former secretary for commerce and economic development Edward Yau Tang-wah said Hong Kong should not merely aim to “connect the dots”.

“What we do to secure Hong Kong’s position as described by the chief executive and all the previous leaders is we must bring value, and the value is not just gold plating, but also to create a dependable partnership that could join things together,” he said.

“Hong Kong must enter into the game of building this partnership.”

Yau also identified two “axes of opportunities” for the city. He referred to the first as the “north-south axis”, which represents Hong Kong’s strong connection with the mainland. He described this as the “global economic energy”, accounting for one-third of the world’s trade economy.

The second he called the “east-west axis”, extending from Hong Kong through Asean, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Central Asia, and into Eastern Europe. This axis, he noted, aligned with many countries taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative.