Xu Zhengyu: The Hong Kong stock market is constantly influenced by external factors and needs to be aligned with international standards. The issue of operating 24 hours a day is quite complicated.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary and Treasury Bureau Chief Paul Chan said that over the past year, the implementation of the adverse weather trading arrangement has shown resilience in the industry. However, in reviewing the experience of "no trading during typhoons," it was found that it may affect the settlement of some physical cheques. The authorities have invited securities firms to use more electronic services. Chan pointed out that the nearby stock markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen also do not stop trading during adverse weather conditions, and Hong Kong serves the global market, so there is no reason to halt trading in line with international standards. As for the "24-hour trading" proposal, Chan believes that the related issues are more complex. He noted that exchanges and securities firms need to handle settlement during trading halts, and the authorities will review the needs and technical issues. Regarding the recent buoyant stock market leading to an increase in stamp duty revenue, which could reduce the fiscal deficit, Chan emphasized that we should not only look at a few months' performance but also consider the long term. The government needs to consider both short-term and medium- to long-term perspectives in planning to ensure fiscal stability.