Chen Maobo: The roles of "super connectors" and "super value-added people" in Hong Kong are becoming increasingly important.

The Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Paul Chan Mo-po, stated in a blog post on the 22nd that Hong Kong has solid national security guarantees and the status of a free port under the "one country, two systems" framework. In the increasingly complex and volatile international geopolitical environment, more and more investors, funds, and talents see Hong Kong as a rare "safe harbor" and investment destination, and funds, businesses, and talents are accelerating their convergence here. According to data, the total amount of deposits in the Hong Kong banking system increased by 11.8% last year and continues to rise at the beginning of this year, with the total exceeding 19 trillion Hong Kong dollars. The average daily turnover of the Hong Kong stock market in the first two months of this year exceeded 260 billion Hong Kong dollars, an increase of 17% compared to the previous year, and the daily turnover in March exceeded 300 billion Hong Kong dollars on multiple days. The number of companies set up in Hong Kong by domestic and foreign companies increased by 11% last year. The number of visitors to Hong Kong in the first two months of this year is close to 10 million, a year-on-year increase of 18%. All of these confirm Hong Kong's unique attractiveness and international status. Chan Mo-po said that Hong Kong must accelerate its high-quality development to make the international community better understand Hong Kong's unique advantages and opportunities. Hong Kong is promoting a development strategy of "AI +" and "finance +". The development and application of open-source frameworks related to artificial intelligence will help Hong Kong gather global elites and technologies. In addition, the SAR government will hold the fourth "WealthnAsia" Summit to attract decision-makers of global family offices and heirs to Hong Kong to experience the city's charm and explore investment opportunities, while further promoting Hong Kong to become the world's largest cross-border asset and wealth management center. He stated that Hong Kong, as a gateway connecting the country and the world, plays a crucial role as a "super connector" and "super value-added person" in the current complex international environment. How to further consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's unique function as an international and global connector, and strengthen connectivity and interaction with the mainland, is a task that Hong Kong needs to continuously strengthen in the future.