At a reception held today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Legislative Councillor (Financial Services) Robert Lee, joined by 13 industry associations, celebrated the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. During his address, Chief Executive John Lee highlighted that over the past 77 years, the nation has accelerated its pursuit of financial strength, with steady progress in the internationalization of the yuan, deepening two-way opening of capital markets, and continuous expansion of connectivity mechanisms. He noted that the country is steadily advancing high-level financial opening-up, providing broad opportunities for global investors.
The Chief Executive pointed out that the national 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial center, strengthening its roles as a global offshore yuan business hub, an international asset and wealth management center, and an international risk management center. In this year's Policy Address for 2026, the Hong Kong SAR Government has introduced multiple measures to consolidate the city's position as a global fund intermediation hub, actively develop yuan and commodity trading businesses, and strengthen its risk management center functions, further enriching the connotation of its international financial center.
Robert Lee: Three Suggestions Aligned with National Strategy, Urging Industry to Deliver the "Five Major Articles"
In his speech, Legislative Councillor Robert Lee shared three key points: the nation's achievements and Hong Kong's future both require the financial services sector to proactively integrate into and serve the national development strategy; he expressed hope that the SAR government, regulatory bodies, exchanges, and the industry would coordinate and unite; and he emphasized the important work of the Legislative Council in promoting financial development.
Lee stated that this year marks the beginning of the national 15th Five-Year Plan, and with the release of Hong Kong's first five-year plan and the 2026 Policy Address last week, these documents carry historic significance by positioning finance as Hong Kong's fundamental and greatest advantage. They provide clear direction for the industry, promoting development in asset management, risk management, yuan, and commodities. He noted that the five-year plan elevates the "four centers and one highland" from a broader perspective and outlines the integration of "finance plus" with the real economy, urging the industry to seize opportunities and deliver the "Five Major Articles" to support the building of a financial powerhouse.
Strengthening Advantages of Backing the Motherland and Connecting with the World: Lee Cites Multiple Favorable Factors for Hong Kong's International Gold Trading Center Ambitions
As the SAR government and financial industry push forward with the construction of Hong Kong's "International Gold Trading Center," and with the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited planning to launch yuan-denominated gold futures contracts, Hong Kong is facing a major opportunity for gold market development. In an interview, Lee pointed out that Hong Kong has over a century of history in gold trading, clearing, and the broader industrial chain, from upstream mining development to gold enterprises listed locally, having long established a mature industrial ecosystem.
Addressing Hong Kong's core competitiveness compared to traditional gold trading hubs like London, New York, and Shanghai, he emphasized that gold is underpinned by solid supply-demand dynamics, with not only physical demand from the jewelry industry but also central banks globally continuing to increase their gold reserves. In this context, Hong Kong's most critical competitive advantage lies in its unique positioning of "backing the motherland and connecting with the world," effectively bridging the demands of both the mainland and international markets.