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New York ETO promotes Hong Kong’s life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum in Philadelphia on March 12 to highlight Hong Kong’s growing role as a global hub for health and life sciences innovation and to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration. More than 130 business leaders, investors and innovators from Greater Philadelphia attended the event to learn about Hong Kong’s dynamic life and health sciences ecosystem.

In her welcoming remarks, New York ETO Director Maisie Ho highlighted Hong Kong’s strong momentum in life sciences and healthcare, noting new initiatives aimed at advancing the city’s health technology sector. Speakers from Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council also outlined Hong Kong’s advantages as a launchpad for life sciences innovation, including strong research and development capabilities, robust intellectual property protection and connectivity with the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and the broader Asia-Pacific markets. The forum concluded with a panel discussion featuring industry leaders who discussed collaboration opportunities, fundraising, clinical development and market expansion in Asia. A spring reception was held the same evening for guests from Philadelphia’s political, business, financial and academic communities.

Hong Kong women leaders visit New York ETO on sidelines of UN women’s conference

The New York ETO welcomed a 10-member delegation from the Hong Kong Federation of Women on March 9 on the sidelines of the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Led by Vice Chairperson Yu-San Kan, the delegation included women leaders and students representing their respective universities. During the meeting, New York ETO Director Maisie Ho highlighted the growing participation and leadership of women across sectors in Hong Kong. On March 10, Ms Ho attended the Digital Empowerment for Women’s Health Development Public Welfare Symposium at UN Headquarters, where Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Women’s Affairs Joyce Chan shared updates on the latest developments in women’s health in Hong Kong, including efforts to leverage digital and intelligent solutions to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for health.

Hong Kong films and talent to be showcased in Chicago

The New York ETO is sponsoring seven films under the “Spotlight on Hong Kong Cinema” showcase at the 20th Asian Pop-Up Cinema (Mar 20 – Apr 12) in Chicago. The festival will open with the sports comedy “Pass and Goal”, starring Hong Kong actress Gigi Leung. Other Hong Kong titles include “Good Game”, “Someone Like Me” and “Another World”, all four productions supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s Film Development Fund; as well as “Night King”, “Blades of the Guardians” and the short-animated film “Blacky the Metal Arm Cat”. Gigi Leung, along with directors Jil Wong, Dickson Leung, Nic Ho, and producer Ivana Lai, will attend the festival.

“AI+” and “Finance+” strategy highlighted at business luncheon

Financial Secretary Paul Chan, speaking at the Joint Business Community Luncheon in Hong Kong (Mar 13), said Hong Kong will advance high-quality and inclusive growth through the twin strategies of “AI+” and “Finance+”, while proactively aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Calling AI an unstoppable wave, Mr Chan said the HKSAR Government will promote AI adoption across industries, strengthen financial support for innovation, and accelerate development of the Northern Metropolis to drive Hong Kong’s long-term economic transformation.

GenA.I. Sandbox++ for financial sector

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, the Insurance Authority, and the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Schemes Authority launched (Mar 5) the Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenA.I.) Sandbox++ to support responsible AI adoption across the financial sector. Building on the GenA.I. Sandbox introduced in 2024, the expanded initiative now covers multiple sectors including banking, securities and capital markets, asset and wealth management, insurance, MPF and stored value facilities. The sandbox focuses on risk management, anti-fraud and customer experience, while providing participating institutions with supervisory guidance, technical support and computing resources at Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre. The initiative aims to foster collaboration among regulators, financial institutions and technology firms, and promote the development of AI applications in Hong Kong’s financial ecosystem.

HKEX launches consultation to enhance listing framework competitiveness

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) launched (Mar 13) a consultation proposing enhancements to the Hong Kong listing framework to further strengthen market competitiveness and attract high-growth and innovative companies. Key proposals include lowering the market capitalisation and revenue thresholds for companies with weighted voting rights (WVR), raising the maximum WVR voting ratio to 20:1 for large issuers, expanding confidential filing to all new listing applicants, and easing requirements for overseas issuers seeking secondary listings, including broader use of US GAAP in financial reporting. HKEX Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Chan said the proposals aim to enhance Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a listing venue while maintaining high standards of market quality and investor protection. The consultation will run until May 8, 2026, with the aim of reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a leading international fundraising hub.

Report highlights growth momentum of Hong Kong family office sector

Hong Kong’s family office sector shows strong growth momentum, with demand expanding beyond traditional wealth management to philanthropy, impact investing and risk management, according to a report released (Mar 10) by the Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research, the research arm of the Hong Kong Academy of Finance. Ninety-one per cent of surveyed family offices already invest in Hong Kong, citing its favourable regulatory framework, free flow of capital, deep capital markets and competitive tax regime. Philanthropic participation is projected to rise from 45% to 64%, while impact investing is expected to increase from 30% to 43% in the coming years. The report said Hong Kong is well positioned to benefit from these trends and outlined measures to strengthen the family office ecosystem, including leveraging Greater Bay Area networks, advancing Private Social Investments and promoting talent development.

Hong Kong to host UNIDROIT Asia-Pacific liaison office

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and the Secretary-General of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) Ignacio Tirado signed a memorandum of administrative arrangements to establish the UNIDROIT Liaison Office for the Asia-Pacific Region in Hong Kong (Mar 12). The agreement marks the first time in UNIDROIT’s 100-year history that the organisation has set up a regional presence outside its headquarters in Rome. Mr Lam said Hong Kong is an ideal home for UNIDROIT's first regional presence, highlighting the city’s role as an international legal hub, underpinned by a robust common law system and a world-class legal infrastructure. The liaison office is expected to open in November, with the Department of Justice and UNIDROIT planning to co-organise the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit and a Centenary Regional Event during Hong Kong Legal Week 2026.

Hong Kong delegation shines at Geneva inventions exhibition

A Hong Kong delegation of 44 organisations won nearly 300 prizes at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (Mar 11 – 15), including a record 12 Special Awards, 57 Gold Medals with Congratulations of Jury and 98 Gold Medals, marking a best-ever performance for Hong Kong at the world’s largest inventions exhibition. The Oasis One International Limited also received the Grand Prix. Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong congratulated the delegation, highlighting Hong Kong’s strong innovation and technology capabilities and the HKSAR Government’s commitment to developing the city into an international I&T centre.

Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 to feature 240 galleries from 41 countries and territories

Art Basel Hong Kong will return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this month, bringing together 240 galleries from 41 countries and territories. The 2026 edition will feature large-scale installations under the Encounters sector and mark the Asia debut of Zero 10, Art Basel’s global initiative dedicated to digital-era art. The fair will also present a citywide public programme, including Film, Conversations and Exchange Circle, as well as collaborative events with local cultural institutions such as Tai Kwun and the Hong Kong Ballet. Preview days will take place on March 25 to 26, with public access from March 27 to 29.

Hong Kong to align with National 15th Five-Year Plan

The HKSAR Government would proactively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan, approved by the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress, to advance high-quality development and deepen Hong Kong’s integration into overall national development. It will also formulate Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, outlining strategic initiatives and development priorities to support socio-economic development and strengthen the city’s long-term prosperity and stability.

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: Do Hong Kong people have the freedom to choose their work or studies?

A: Yes, according to Basic Law Articles 33 and 34, Hong Kong residents are guaranteed to enjoy the freedom of choice of occupation, as well as the freedom to engage in academic research, literary and artistic creation, and other cultural activities. (BL Articles 33; 34)