China says Hong Kong welcomes global investment

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, has extended an invitation to global enterprises to invest in Hong Kong, highlighting the city's potential for shared growth under the "One Country, Two Systems" policy.

Mao told a regular press conference on Thursday that by the end of last year, nearly 10,000 companies from the mainland and overseas had established bases in Hong Kong, while the number of local startups soared to about 4,700, both marking new records.

She lauded Hong Kong's recognition as the world's freest economy and its rise to third in the Global Financial Centres Index, boasting an asset management industry worth over US$4 trillion.

The city also experienced a tourism boom with 44 million visitors annually, a more than 30 percent year-on-year increase, and attracted approximately 170,000 individuals through its talent acquisition initiatives, said Mao.

Meanwhile, Mao said the Central Government is confident in Hong Kong achieving better development.

She said under the support of the Central Government, Hong Kong had in the last year adopted a pragmatic and proactive approach, focusing on boosting the economy, seeking development, and strengthening international cooperation, thus, continuously consolidating the favorable momentum of a stable development in Hong Kong.