|
| Hong Kong showcases resilience at global finance summit | Under the theme “Trekking through Shifting Terrain,” the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit (Nov 3-5) organised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) brought together around 300 global financial executives, including over 100 CEOs, for in-depth exchanges on market innovation and regional connectivity. Chief Executive John Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s resilience, noting a booming stock market and a surge in dealmaking. Financial Secretary Paul Chan underscored Hong Kong’s strengths in fintech, IPOs and infrastructure, and its pivotal role as a “super-connector” for global capital. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government also outlined new strategies to attract international investment, advance the “big four” innovation and technology sectors – AI, biotech, fintech and new energy – and accelerate development of the Northern Metropolis innovation hub. These initiatives reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a leading global capital-markets gateway linking the Chinese Mainland and the world. | | Hong Kong charts bold path for fintech innovation | At the opening of Hong Kong FinTech Week × StartmeupHK Festival 2025 (Nov 3-7), Chief Executive John Lee highlighted Hong Kong as a city made for collaboration and built for innovation. Financial Secretary Paul Chan shared his views on Hong Kong’s strategic vision for financial innovation, emphasising the vast potential of digitalisation and the role of the city’s regulators in enabling this. The HKMA launched its “Fintech 2030” strategy, introducing the “DART” framework covering data and payments, AI adoption, technology resilience, and tokenisation of real-world assets. Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau noted the city’s growing startup ecosystem – over 4,700 companies – and announced new measures to strengthen IP financing and cross-border SME co-operation. With over 45,000 participants from more than 120 economies, the event reinforced Hong Kong’s commitment to driving financial innovation and shaping the next era of global growth. | |
| |
| CE reaffirms HK’s super-connector role at APEC Summit | |
Chief Executive John Lee attended the 36th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, Korea (Nov 1), advocating multilateralism, digital innovation and supply-chain resilience. He welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping upon his arrival in Busan and met Hong Kong business and community leaders, encouraging them to promote the city’s strengths and contribute to regional collaboration. In his dialogues with APEC leaders and the APEC Business Advisory Council, Mr Lee reiterated Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” linking global finance and innovation networks, and emphasised that Asia-Pacific members must seize the opportunities brought by digital and green transformation to build a future-ready region. Hong Kong’s participation in APEC had strengthened the ties with the host country Korea and various ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) nations, as well as deepened exchanges with the Middle East and the International Monetary Fund.
At the APEC Ministerial Meeting, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau highlighted Hong Kong’s focus on AI-driven transformation, SME digitalisation, and infrastructure enhancement, while pledging support for a rules-based multilateral trading system. Hong Kong also pledged its readiness to support APEC 2026 in Shenzhen.
| | Inaugural women CEOs summit champions leadership and inclusivity | Financial Secretary Paul Chan addressed the inaugural Women Chief Executives Summit 2025 (Nov 3), joined by nearly 200 C-suite leaders worldwide. He emphasised inclusivity and meritocracy as drivers of sustainable growth, noting Hong Kong’s No. 1 ranking in Asia for societal acceptance of female leaders, with 70% of women feeling encouraged to lead. Women now comprise over half of solicitors and professional accountants, and 60% of business students, reflecting Hong Kong’s growing talent pool. Mr Chan announced a 50% expansion of the Government’s “She Inspires” mentorship programme to 120 mentees next year, reaffirming the city’s commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and inclusive leadership. | |
| |
| Universities in Hong Kong lead QS Asia rankings | Five universities in Hong Kong ranked among the top 10 in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026, reflecting the city’s academic excellence and effective education policies. The University of Hong Kong placed first, while the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University rose to sixth and 10th respectively. The Chinese University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong tied at seventh. Secretary for Education Dr Choi Yuk-lin said the results reaffirm Hong Kong’s position as a global talent hub and highlight continued government support for innovation, quality enhancement, and alignment with national efforts to build the city into an international higher-education centre. | | Hong Kong rises to 4th globally in digital competitiveness | Hong Kong ranked fourth in the 2025 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking by the International Institute for Management Development, advancing three places and reaffirming its position among the world’s most digitally competitive economies. The HKSAR Government attributed the achievement to its strong innovation and technology (I&T) framework, supported by three major I&T parks and five key R&D institutions, adding the city’s progress reflects national support for developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. | | | |
| Strong rule-of-law credentials maintained | Hong Kong ranked 24th globally and 6th in East Asia & the Pacific in the World Justice Project’s 2025 Rule of Law Index, maintaining a score of 0.72. The city placed 9th worldwide for “Absence of Corruption” and 15th for “Regulatory Enforcement,” reflecting its strong anti-corruption efforts and effective law enforcement. Rankings for “Criminal Justice,” “Civil Justice,” and “Constraints on Government Powers” remained stable. The HKSAR Government reaffirmed its commitment to judicial independence, human-rights protection, and the “one country, two systems” principle, pledging to enhance rule-of-law education and overseas engagement to deepen understanding of Hong Kong’s legal system. | | Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank plans to set up office in HK | The HKSAR Government welcomes the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB’s) plan (Nov 3) to set up an office in Hong Kong to address its growing business needs, saying the city is committed to assisting the AIIB in further promoting the sustainable development of infrastructure in Asia. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui said Hong Kong, China, as an AIIB member, will continue to capitalise on its unique advantages of connectivity with both the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, with a view to making an active contribution to the AIIB’s long-term development. | |
| |
| HKMA completes e-HKD pilot programme | The HKMA released the “e-HKD Pilot Programme Phase 2 Report” (Oct 28), summarising findings from 11 industry pilot groups that tested settlement of tokenised assets, programmability, and offline payments in retail use cases. Results indicate that both e-HKD and tokenised deposits can deliver cost-efficient, programmable, and resilient transactions, with the public viewing them similarly due to Hong Kong’s strong banking system. The HKMA will prioritise wholesale use – such as in tokenisation ecosystems and cross-border payments – in the next phase. Preparatory work for potential retail adoption will conclude by mid-2026, with rollout depending on global developments, technology readiness, and market demand. | | International Wine & Spirits Fair attracts strong global turnout | The 17th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair (Nov 6-9), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, drew over 8,200 trade buyers from 57 economies and more than 11,000 visitors. Featuring 620 exhibitors from 23 regions, the event showcased global wines and spirits, with a new “World of Spirits” zone highlighting whiskies, baijiu, and other premium liquors. Chinese baijiu brands secured international orders, reflecting growing overseas interest. Over 45 events, including AI-focused conferences, master classes, and tastings, explored industry trends, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a leading regional hub for wine and spirits trade. | |
| New York ETO strengthens ties with Ohio | | The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) conducted an official visit (Nov 3-4) to Ohio to deepen business, trade, and education collaboration. Director of New York ETO Maisie Ho met officials from the Ohio Department of Development, the Mayor’s Office of Columbus, and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce to discuss Hong Kong’s latest economic developments and opportunities in finance, innovation, and trade. At The Ohio State University (OSU), Ms Ho promoted Hong Kong’s talent admission schemes and academic exchanges. She also delivered a keynote at a luncheon hosted by the Greater Columbus Chinese Chamber of Commerce, highlighting partnership prospects and the potential of the Greater Bay Area. The delegation included Charles Lorum, Deputy Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, who spoke at an OSU panel on global trade risks and Hong Kong’s role in international markets. | | Four Seasons concert set for US premiere at Carnegie Hall | Experience “Four Seasons: A Journey of 1725-2025” featuring Hong Kong-based Korean violinist Ruda Lee and the ANIMA Ensemble, at New York’s Carnegie Hall on November 22! This special concert celebrates the collaboration between the internationally acclaimed Lee and Hong Kong’s rising ANIMA Ensemble, led by Artistic Director and conductor Vivian Ip, who is Associate Conductor of Hong Kong Sinfonietta and recent prizewinner at the 2025 International Ferenc Fricsay Conducting Competition. The concert reimagines the “Four Seasons” theme across centuries and cultures, pairing the Italian Baroque brilliance of Vivaldi with the sultry Argentine tango of Piazzolla. It also includes the premiere of a winning piece from a composition competition at Rutgers University, to be selected during masterclasses led by Ip – showcasing Hong Kong’s commitment to global cultural exchange. Get your tickets now! | |
| |
The Basic Law (BL) is the constitutional document of the HKSAR. It provides the guarantees to maintain our existing way of life, including socio-economic development, the rights and duties of Hong Kong people, the rule of law and other areas. The Basic Law was put into effect on July 1, 1997.
Q: Have the laws previously in force in Hong Kong been maintained?
A: Yes. The Basic Law provides that laws previously in force in Hong Kong, that is, the common law, rules of equity, ordinances, subordinate legislation and customary law, shall be maintained and adopted as laws of the HKSAR, except for any that contravenes the Basic Law, and subject to any amendment by the HKSAR legislature. (BL Articles 8; 18; 160)
| | | | |
