FS visits Zurich, Switzerland (with photos/video)
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After arrival in Zurich, Mr Chan held a roundtable meeting with representatives of a number of banks, asset management institutions and family offices. He introduced the advantages and new development opportunities of Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in areas including finance, innovation, trade and advanced manufacturing, and had in-depth exchanges on issues of concern to the participants. In addition, he also met with representatives of a major Swiss bank.
At the roundtable meeting, Mr Chan elaborated on Hong Kong's economic and financial situation and latest developments. He pointed out that Hong Kong's economy had maintained steady growth over the past two years or so, while its financial markets had remained active. Against the backdrop of the country's strong support for Mainland enterprises to go global, more enterprises have raised funds in Hong Kong's stock market to develop their overseas businesses. Hong Kong ranked first globally in terms of funds raised through initial public offerings both last year and so far this year, attracting many investors from the Mainland and overseas. At the same time, amid the current geopolitical landscape, many international investors regard Hong Kong as a safe harbour for capital and a springboard for diversified investment into the Mainland market, contributing to the strong performance of Hong Kong's stock market. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is actively promoting continuous reform of the stock market, expanding connectivity with capital markets around the world, enhancing market liquidity and providing investors with more diversified investment choices. In various areas such as fixed-income and currency markets, asset and wealth management, and green finance, Hong Kong continues to promote product innovation and expand market scale. In addition, Hong Kong is actively developing gold and commodities trading markets to enrich the offerings of its international financial centre.
He also said that the substantial demand from high-net-worth individuals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia for cross-border asset allocation has prompted many overseas asset and wealth management institutions to expand their businesses in Hong Kong. On financial innovation, Hong Kong adopts a proactive and open attitude, promoting the application and development of digital assets under the principle of placing equal emphasis on prudent regulation and market development.
Mr Chan pointed out that China's 15th Five-Year Plan clearly sets out the promotion of the development of a modernised industrial system, high-level opening up and co-ordinated regional development. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area enjoys strong advantages in frontier technology, advanced manufacturing, investment ecosystem and the pooling of high-end talent, and represents an important opportunity that international investors should not miss. The HKSAR Government is making every effort to promote Hong Kong's innovation and technology development, accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and actively attract enterprises and high-end talent to establish a presence in Hong Kong, injecting stronger impetus into the city's future economic development.
He welcomed Swiss financial institutions and family offices to expand their investment and business scale in Hong Kong, allocate more assets to the Hong Kong and Mainland markets, and seize these vibrant investment opportunities.
Yesterday, Mr Chan also called on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich and for the Principality of Liechtenstein, Ms Chen Yun. He introduced Hong Kong's latest economic and social situation, and exchanged views with her on China-Europe relations and the global political and economic landscape.
Mr Chan will hold a roundtable meeting with representatives of local venture capital and private equity funds this morning (May 22, Zurich time). He will depart Zurich in the afternoon and arrive back in Hong Kong tomorrow morning (May 23, Hong Kong time).
Ends/Friday, May 22, 2026
Issued at HKT 9:00
Issued at HKT 9:00
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