Hong Kong to leap globally in New Year, says John Lee at CGCCHK spring reception

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Hong Kong will push ahead at full speed in the new year to attract more high-value industries and high-potential enterprises, said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

Speaking at the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce’s Lunar New Year reception, Lee said the city will continue to play its role as both a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” on the global stage.

The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCCHK) held its annual Spring Cocktail Reception today. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Leung Chun-ying, and Hong Kong Liaison Office Deputy Director Zhang Yong attended.

Lee noted Hong Kong’s steady 3.5 percent GDP growth last year, recovering retail sales, and continued leadership as a global financial and shipping hub, once again ranked the world’s freest economy.

Company registrations and the number of overseas firms in Hong Kong reached over 11,000; both showed strong gains, signaling positive momentum.

Looking ahead, he said the government will align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, guide society to connect with national strategies, and expand Hong Kong’s international influence.

Chamber Chairman Jonathan Choi Koon-shum said the organization will continue bridging business and government, strengthen mainland ties, and explore opportunities.

A delegation will soon visit Beijing for the Two Sessions, focusing on the 15th Five-Year Plan, with several members submitting proposals as Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) or National People's Congress (NPC) representatives. Choi hopes the upcoming budget will support economic growth.

On the Northern Metropolis, Choi stressed integration with the Greater Bay Area, especially seamless collaboration with Shenzhen.

He urged the government to innovate land sale models, drawing on mainland experience to offer targeted incentives that attract enterprises and talent.

Choi welcomed reports of a proposed HK$100-200 million Northern Metropolis Urban-Rural Integration Fund in tomorrow’s Budget to promote rural cultural tourism, calling it a positive step, similar to successful events like the recent fireworks display that drew many overseas visitors.

He criticized Panama’s takeover of two ports as inappropriate and described US policy uncertainty as unpredictable.

While Sino-US trade fell sharply last year, China’s overall trade grew thanks to rising markets in the Middle East, ASEAN, and South America.

Hong Kong should likewise pursue these emerging opportunities.

Lawmaker Andrew Yau Cho-fai said citizens of all ages should study the 15th Five-Year Plan.

He argued the priority now is to consolidate Hong Kong’s three core centres—especially its world-leading international financial centre—by strengthening yuan internationalization, gold trading, bonds, futures, and the overall financial ecosystem.