Xu Zhengyu: Under geopolitical risks, Hong Kong must defend the national security line and play its role as a safe haven for funds.

Hong Kong Financial Services and Treasury Bureau Director Calvin Chan Cheung-yu stated that in the face of escalating geopolitical risks, global investors' demand for diversified asset allocation is increasing. He emphasized that Hong Kong must guard the national security front line and consolidate its unique role as a safe haven for capital. Chan pointed out that the recent situation in the Middle East highlights the importance of national security, as economic development cannot be discussed without a stable security environment in any region. Hong Kong, with its safe and stable environment, has become an ideal safe haven for capital amid complex and volatile international situations. Market data shows that Hong Kong's managed assets exceed $4 trillion USD, demonstrating the value in this aspect. He mentioned that Hong Kong has always closely monitored the impact of international market changes on the local market. Despite facing a complex and changing external environment, Hong Kong's stock, bond, and foreign exchange markets continue to operate smoothly, thanks to an effective market surveillance system, which is an important foundation for safeguarding financial security. Both at the macro level of national security and the micro level of financial market operation, one must not take things lightly. In terms of medium to long-term development, Chan believes that the key lies in how to utilize Hong Kong's stable environment under the protection of national security to further play its role as an international financial center. He emphasized that only with high-level security guarantees can high-quality development be steadfast and far-reaching. The results of high-quality development will further strengthen the foundation of high-level security and support Hong Kong in steady progress in the year of the launch of the "15th Five-Year Plan".