Chen Maobo: Continuous inflow of funds into the Hong Kong financial system. Welcomes South Korean investors to pay more attention to and participate in the Hong Kong stock market.

Southern East England Asset Management held a Hong Kong-Korea Capital Market Forum in Seoul. Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po delivered a keynote speech, stating that Hong Kong stocks rose by 18% last year and have accumulated by about 20% so far this year, with significantly increased trading volume; the average daily turnover has exceeded HK$240 billion. The amount raised by new stocks in the first half of the year has exceeded HK$100 billion, surpassing last year's full-year figure, currently ranking first globally. He mentioned that the continuous flow of funds into Hong Kong's financial system reflects international investors' confidence in Hong Kong given the current international situation, and the diverse and rich financial product ecosystem, including exchange-traded products, can help investors from around the world efficiently connect to the Chinese mainland and even all Asian markets. Paul Chan Mo-po further pointed out that Hong Kong embraces digital assets, appropriately regulates while encouraging innovation, reduces transaction costs, facilitates cross-border transactions and payments. Hong Kong and Korea are actively developing digital asset ecosystems, and both sides can promote more exchange and cooperation. He also welcomed more attention and participation from Korean investors in the Hong Kong stock market, and looks forward to deepening cooperation with Korean financial institutions and investors to create opportunities for each other. The President of the Korea Financial Investment Association, Heo Yoo-sik, stated that Korean investors have an annual trading volume of about USD 3.5 billion in Hong Kong stocks, netting USD 580 million in 2025, making Hong Kong the second-largest overseas investment destination for Korea, indicating that Korean investors see Hong Kong as the most promising and lucrative market in Asia. Ding Chen, CEO of Southern East England, said that for Korean investors, the Hong Kong market is an ideal overseas investment choice. Southern East England also mentioned that the Korean ETF market broke through KRW 200 trillion (approximately HK$1.15 trillion) for the first time in June 2025; the size of the Hong Kong ETF market has also repeatedly reached new highs, with the total size of the ETF and leveraged and inverse markets approaching HK$600 billion as at June 30, 2025, up by 13.8% compared to the beginning of the year and at a historical high.