Christopher Hui: More and more global companies and talent are placing their confidence in Hong Kong

On September 20, the "Beijing-Hong Kong Cooperation Seminar" was held in Beijing. During his speech, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka-chiu stated that more and more global enterprises and talents are showing confidence in Hong Kong. The InvestHK, a department under the Special Administrative Region government, has successfully assisted 390 companies in setting up or expanding their businesses in Hong Kong this year, representing an increase of over 40% compared to the same period last year, attracting a total investment of HK$41 billion. As of August this year, the Innovation and Technology Bureau of the SAR government and the InnoHK office have held discussions with more than 100 key innovation and technology companies to establish or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, with a combined investment exceeding HK$52 billion. John Lee Ka-chiu mentioned that Hong Kong is the largest source of foreign direct investment for the mainland, accounting for over 50% of the total foreign direct investment. The number of overseas companies with business operations in Hong Kong exceeded 9,000 last year, with over 2,100 of them being mainland companies, making it the largest group for six consecutive years. Beijing has always been an important partner for Hong Kong. By the end of last year, Hong Kong's cumulative actual investment in Beijing approached US$136 billion, accounting for nearly 60% of Beijing's total foreign direct investment. The cooperation between Beijing and Hong Kong has strengthened in various aspects, complementing each other's advantages to facilitate the development of more Beijing enterprises in Hong Kong and global markets. He pointed out that the SAR government has implemented a series of proactive measures to attract talents from all over the world to develop in Hong Kong. By the end of August, the various talent admission schemes have received over 360,000 applications, with nearly 230,000 approved. Hong Kong has the conditions and advantages to attract international high-end talents needed for national and Hong Kong development. John Lee Ka-chiu reiterated that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong has the unique advantage of being "backed by the motherland and connected to the world", making it the only city in the world that combines the advantages of China and the world. It is also a global financial, shipping, trade, and logistics center with strong innovation and technology capabilities to provide high-level and efficient services aligned with global standards. Hong Kong has been actively participating in China's reform and opening up, aligning with national strategies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Belt and Road Initiative, integrating into the national development plan and accelerating the development of new productive forces. The seminar witnessed the signing of 40 cooperation projects covering 12 areas including technology services, finance, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, smart manufacturing, and cultural tourism. John Lee Ka-chiu, who led the delegation to Beijing to attend the seminar, witnessed the signing of 15 key cooperation projects.