Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday said Hong Kong welcomed the use of the city's "first-class" financial platform by global investors to achieve greater success amid geopolitical uncertainties as well as an energy crisis.

Speaking at a World Finance Forum event, he noted the SAR, as the world's third largest financial centre, was striving to become the world's largest cross-border wealth management centre.

Total asset and wealth management businesses reached HK$35 trillion by 2024, while capital inflows exceeded HK$350 billion in 2025, more than double year on year, which "demonstrate global investors' confidence in the city", Lee said.

"We must take the initiative amid the current complex and volatile international environment," he told event participants.

"Hong Kong will continue to leverage its unique advantage of having the strong backing from the motherland while connecting the world to build bridges for global dialogue.

"We'll expand multilateral cooperation and share the fruitful achievements of stability and growth with the world."

Lee also said the city is exploring new growth drivers by expanding its gold and commodities market ecosystem while boosting its high-tech industries.

The city's first-ever five-year plan that's being drafted, he added, would also contribute to the nation's financial growth.

Echoing Lee, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui said the city was also working on improving post-trade efficiency as well as building new business opportunities around digital assets, family offices and treasuries.

Hui added he would join Lee soon for a trip to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in early June to explore opportunities for cooperation in finance, trade and innovation between Central Asia and the SAR.

The event that Lee and Hui were attending, the Ninth World Finance Forum Annual Conference and Dialogue of Continents 2026 High-Level Seminar, was co-hosted by the organising committee of the World Finance Forum.

With a theme focusing on the current financial landscape, the event's participants included government officials, leading firms and members of academia.


Edited by Tony Sabine