Positive US-China ties top concern for Hong Kong-based businesses: AmCham poll

Survey from American Chamber of Commerce also finds 79 per cent of respondents have no intention of moving headquarters in next three years

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Respondents were also asked to evaluate Hong Kong’s business outlook, operating environment, legal considerations, US-China relations, human resources, the Greater Bay Area and other sector-specific topics. Photo: May Tse

Published: 12:27pm, 23 Jan 2025

Positive US-China ties are a top concern for Hong Kong-based businesses over the coming year, according to a survey by a prominent foreign business chamber, with most respondents saying America’s best course for boosting relations with the city is better understanding its legal distinctions from the mainland.

The business sentiment survey released by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, also known as AmCham HK, on Thursday found that 79 per cent of respondents expressed no intention of relocating their headquarters outside the city in the next three years.

The poll also showed that 85 per cent of respondents felt the Hong Kong government’s best course for improving ties with the United States was to put “more focus on business issues, less focus on national security rhetoric”.

“Members reported that US-China relations were their top concern in the coming year,” the chamber said. “Almost all companies (97 per cent) reported that a positive bilateral relationship is important to their business in Hong Kong and China.”

The survey was conducted between last December and early January.

The chamber approached the top management of 500 Hong Kong-based companies that were also members of the business group to take part in the survey, with a response rate of 18 per cent.