Government releases "Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: Unique Strengths under 'One Country, Two Systems'" (with photos/video)
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A Government spokesman said, "Following the report issued in 2021, the HKSAR Government has published another relevant report. With solid facts and data, the latest report systematically and clearly demonstrates to the world that Hong Kong's development has been picking up in recent years as social stability has been restored and the city has emerged from the pandemic. It aims to deepen the understanding of friends and investors worldwide about the latest situation in various fields in Hong Kong, encouraging them to fully leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages of having connections to both the Mainland and the world under 'one country, two systems', its role as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder', and to seize new opportunities that emerge."
The report elaborates on Hong Kong's institutional advantages under the "one country, two systems" arrangement and explains the Government's policy priorities and achievements in promoting high-quality economic development, including continuously strengthening competitiveness, as well as its achievements in attracting capital inflows, pooling together enterprises and attracting talent. It also showcases Hong Kong's latest developments and potential in finance, trade, aviation, maritime, innovation and technology, intellectual property trade, and legal services, as well as culture, sports and tourism.
The spokesman said, "Over the past few years, the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance has restored a stable social environment in Hong Kong. This has not only protected the rights and freedoms of the general public but has also made Hong Kong a safe harbour for attracting international capital and investment. The continued inflow of capital, the promising growth of the stock market, domestic and overseas companies setting up their presence in Hong Kong, talent pursuing development in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong's top rankings in numerous international rankings demonstrate that Hong Kong's open, secure, stable and efficient business environment has been widely recognised internationally, and the confidence of international investors and businesses in Hong Kong is further growing."
In fact, the current-term Government has achieved remarkable results in attracting enterprises, investment and talent. For example, in 2024, the number of companies in Hong Kong with parent companies located outside the territory significantly increased by about 10 per cent, reaching nearly 10 000, while the number of start-ups reached nearly 4 700, both reaching record highs. The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, established over two years ago, has attracted 84 strategic enterprises to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong, including enterprises with a market capitalisation or valuation exceeding $10 billion and engaged in cutting-edge technologies. From January 2023 to the first six months of 2025, Invest Hong Kong assisted over 1 300 overseas and Mainland companies to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong, bringing in investment of more than $160 billion.
In terms of talent, as of June 2025, a total of nearly 500 000 applications under various talent admission schemes were received, nearly 330 000 of which were approved, and nearly 220 000 talents have arrived in Hong Kong.
This year, the performance of Hong Kong's financial markets has steadily improved. The Hang Seng Index recorded an increase of 18 per cent last year and an increase of more than 25 per cent this year so far. The average daily turnover in the stock market for the first half of the year was around $240 billion, with an increase of around 120 per cent. According to the Securities and Futures Commission's Asset and Wealth Management Activities Survey 2024 published this month, Hong Kong's asset and wealth management business showed further growth, with total assets under management at over $35 trillion as of end-2024, representing a year-on-year gain of 13 per cent.
The spokesman said, "In a complex and volatile external environment, Hong Kong is experiencing economic upgrading and transformation, but there are more opportunities than challenges. With the strong support from our country and the collective efforts of the Government, various sectors and residents, Hong Kong will leverage the advantages of the 'one country, two systems' arrangement and capitalise on national development opportunities. By developing innovation and technology and new quality productive forces, and deepening international and regional exchanges and co-operation, Hong Kong will pave the way for new growth prospects."
Ends/Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:45
Issued at HKT 16:45
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Photo
Audio / Video
Press conference on "Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: Unique Strengths under 'One Country, Two Systems'"