The Live Conversation: SCMP’s China Conference Hong Kong 2025

The South China Morning Post’s China Conference 2025 brought together renowned experts, innovators and leaders to offer insiders’ insights into the complex dynamics shaping China today, as well as Hong Kong’s role in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. The event shed light on how the city can leverage its enviable position as a superconnector between China and the world by embracing innovation and further strengthening its already formidable success in sectors such as finance, trade, logistics and tourism.

More than 700 in-person attendees and over 300 online registrants from nearly 30 countries and regions around the world – working in fields including business, trade, finance, investment and technology – took part in the full-day event, which was held on July 8 at JW Marriott Hong Kong.

Where capital meets innovation
The theme of this year’s China Conference, the flagship event of the South China Morning Post, now in its 12th edition, was ‘Where capital meets innovation’. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, who gave the keynote speech, said the theme was an apt description of the strength of China and of how Hong Kong contributes to its rise. 

“In spite of a damaged global trade order, the expanding trade and capital flows of China, our country, help buoy the economy of the region and the world,” Lee said. 

Steve Finch, president & CEO of Manulife Asia, the Presenting Sponsor of the conference for the fourth year running, said in his keynote address that Hong Kong is not only vital to China’s economic development, but also serves as a trusted base for global investors.