Edward Yau: Continue to play the role of Hong Kong as a "super connector" and "super value-added person" to provide financing services for mainland enterprises.

On January 9th, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivered a video speech at the Greater Bay Area (Nansha) Business Summit and Exchange Conference 2026, stating that in June 2022, the State Council issued the "General Plan for Deepening Comprehensive Cooperation between Guangzhou Nansha and the World Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau" ("Nansha Plan"), outlining the key development directions for Nansha. Last year, the "Nansha Plan" completed the first phase of development goals, with fruitful achievements in construction. The number of high-tech enterprises in Nansha has exceeded 1,300, and the annual growth rate of international high-end talent is 55%. Significant achievements have been made in the cooperation of the Greater Bay Area in Nansha, with 19 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau joint technology research projects accelerating. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) officially opened in 2022, with 32 innovative projects already settled in the university's technology transfer and transformation base. John Lee Ka-chiu also mentioned that under the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has the advantage of internal connectivity and external contact. Hong Kong is the country's only common law jurisdiction, with legal systems aligned with various global financial centers. At the same time, Hong Kong has a simple and low tax system, coupled with a highly open and international business environment. Hong Kong actively promotes innovation in digital trade, financial services, legal services, etc., to provide diversified, high value, and all-round professional services for the Bay Area development. Hong Kong will continue to play the role of a super connector and super value-added person, providing fundraising services for mainland enterprises, establishing international business headquarters, financial centers, research centers, supply chain management centers, and more, to move forward with enterprises towards the world. The original text in Chinese is provided for reference.