Affected by the geopolitical situation, global investors are reassessing the risks in their asset portfolios and adjusting their investment strategies to diversify risks, with Hong Kong having become a safe haven for capital, Paul Chan Mo-po, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said in a blog post on Sunday.
He also said that Hong Kong is transitioning from its previous role as a springboard for international companies entering the Chinese mainland market to a versatile two-way platform that helps both domestic and overseas enterprises explore each other’s markets.
The hosting of numerous major international conferences in Hong Kong consolidates and enhances its position as an international exchange platform, he noted.
A number of important large-scale international conferences spanning sectors such as the economy, finance and shipping were held in Hong Kong over the past week.
The ninth session of the Hong Kong Maritime Week was held from November 16 to November 22.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said that in this era of profound and complex transformation, Hong Kong’s role as a stable, reliable and dynamic maritime hub has never been more vital.
Lee said that Hong Kong’s standing is consistently endorsed by the international community, having been ranked fourth globally as an international shipping center for six consecutive years, according to the government’s official website on November 17.
In the shipping and trade sectors, amid the rise of unilateralism in the international arena and the accelerated realignment of global supply and industrial chains, China’s economic and trade relations with ASEAN and the Global South have further deepened.
Against this backdrop, Hong Kong’s merchandise exports have not only weathered the tariff war but have also recorded 19 consecutive months of year-on-year growth, with a notable increase of 11.3 percent in the first three quarters of this year, said Chan in his blog post.
In addition, Chan highlighted the city’s leading position in IPO fundraising, a thriving wealth management industry, and continuously deepening financial cooperation with regions around the world, all of which reflect the strong appeal of the Hong Kong market to international capital.
This year, several high-profile IPOs have attracted cornerstone investors from Western countries as well as the Middle East. Recently, many international financial leaders attending events in Hong Kong have said that their institutions are planning to increase hiring and expand their presence in the city, Chan added.
Amid the evolving geopolitical landscape, global investors are reassessing the risks within their asset portfolios and adjusting their investment strategies to diversify risks. Hong Kong has emerged as a safe haven for capital, said Chan.
