Hong Kong’s chief executive boasted about the city’s recent business accomplishments and shared the top initiatives to boost its status as a global financial center.
Hong Kong chief executive John Lee spoke in the opening speech of the Asian Financial Forum 2026, boasting about the city’s recent business accomplishments.
Citing an annual survey, Lee shared that the city was home to 11,070 foreign and mainland-affiliated companies and 5,200 startups at the end of 2025, both up 11 percent year-on-year. Within finance, Hong Kong became the world’s top IPO venue, raising around $36 billion, and attracting more than 200 family offices to set up operations or expand their business, with plans to welcome at least another 220 by 2028.
«As you would know, companies turn to Hong Kong for many reasons – but our prowess as a financial hub is certainly a key factor,» Lee said in the published speech.
Three Areas to Boost Status
To further boost Hong Kong’s status as an global financial center, Lee highlighted three main areas.
First, reinforce its existing strengths, including the deepening of its equity market, expansion of the bond market and advancement of the asset and wealth management sector. Second, expediting the development of new growth areas, such as the build-out of an international gold trading market and commodities trading ecosystem. Third, maintaining international exchanges and co-operation as a priority.
«Hong Kong’s financial regulatory system is robust, and our financial market stands out for its deep liquidity, innovative products and world-class investor protection. We also boast a highly educated workforce, a welcoming environment for global talent and transparent financial regulations aligned with international standards,» Lee added.
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