Hong Kong ready to welcome APEC leaders en route to Shenzhen summit, says Financial Secretary

Hong Kong is prepared to welcome foreign delegates travelling to the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen via the city, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Sunday.

His remarks followed Hong Kong’s successful first hosting of the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting last week (20–21 October), which Chan described as delivering breakthrough progress. Speaking on a radio programme, the financial chief said the gathering had given representatives from APEC economies a deeper understanding of Hong Kong’s unique role in connecting the Chinese mainland with the rest of the world.

Chan stressed that Hong Kong’s dual function of helping mainland enterprises “go global” and attracting overseas investment would be key to financing infrastructure innovation, digital trade finance, standards alignment and industry certification for mainland companies. With the city’s strong international connectivity, he expected many attendees of next month’s leaders’ summit in Shenzhen to transit through Hong Kong and said he hoped to promote the city’s attractions to them.

He underlined that international trust in Hong Kong’s professional services had been hard-won. All practitioners must uphold the highest international ethical standards alongside technical excellence to safeguard the city’s reputation, he said.

As more mainland firms seek to expand overseas amid fierce domestic competition, Chan noted that overseas profits have become relatively attractive. Beyond serving as a base for corporate treasury centres and research operations, Hong Kong can also facilitate standards alignment and conversion between China and the world. Global enterprises, he added, can enter the mainland market through the city’s investment and professional services for infrastructure projects, creating fresh opportunities for Hong Kong.

Chan pointed to a lively local market atmosphere, reporting that retail sales had risen 5 to 6 per cent year on year to HK$32.1 billion, marking the 16th consecutive month of expansion. Pressure on the food and beverage sector has been brought under control, the residential property market is stable and improving, and commercial rents have stopped falling. He expects overall performance to strengthen once asset markets stabilise, with the priority remaining to keep the recovery on track against external shocks.

Having recently led delegations to Nanjing and Beijing, Chan highlighted Nanjing’s strengths in artificial intelligence, medical technology and pharmaceuticals. Two-way trade between Hong Kong and Nanjing more than doubled in the first nine months of this year. Under a new “tech and brands going global as a group” strategy, the government and partners — including Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), the science parks, Cyberport, the Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC), the Trade Development Council and the Productivity Council — will provide tailored one-stop support to mainland companies that possess strong technology but limited overseas experience.

With the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit and Fintech Week approaching in November, Chan said Hong Kong will continue to leverage its financial and innovation strengths to support national development.

The APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting is scheduled for 18–19 November in Shenzhen under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.” The Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Hong Kong, the first of its kind hosted by the city, produced a joint statement and a policy statement on digital infrastructure financing, among other outcomes.