Hong Kong ready for APEC delegates bound for Shenzhen
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Sunday that Hong Kong is ready to welcome foreign delegates travelling through the city to the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen next month. He said Hong Kong's first hosting of the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting last week achieved breakthrough progress and gave representatives from APEC economies a deeper understanding of the city's role connecting the mainland with the world. Chan said Hong Kong can support mainland companies going global while also attracting overseas investment, especially in infrastructure innovation, digital trade finance, standards alignment and industry certification. He also said retail sales had risen by 5 to 6 percent year on year to HK$32.1 billion, describing market conditions as lively
Key Points
- Speaking on a radio programme on Sunday, Paul Chan said many delegates attending the Shenzhen leaders' summit were likely to route through Hong Kong
- Chan said Hong Kong's hosting of the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting last week marked the city's first time staging that event
- He said the meeting helped APEC representatives better understand Hong Kong's dual role linking the mainland with global capital and markets
- Chan said Hong Kong could help mainland firms establish corporate treasury centres, research operations, and standards conversion between China and overseas markets
- He said retail sales increased 5 to 6 percent year on year to HK$32.1 billion, indicating a lively market atmosphere
Why It Matters
If more APEC delegates transit through Hong Kong before the Shenzhen summit, the city gains another chance to showcase its professional services and international connectivity to senior overseas visitors. Chan's comments also tie Hong Kong's economic role to practical business opportunities, from helping mainland firms expand abroad to bringing global enterprises into the mainland market through the city