Paul Chan (L), financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, attends a press conference in China's Hong Kong, Sept. 4, 2019. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Financial Secretary of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Paul Chan on Sunday reiterated the role of the "one country, two systems" in keeping financial advantages of Hong Kong, which is grappling with prolonged social unrest.
Chan also warned the challenges posed by violent acts in recent months to social order and safety in Hong Kong makes investors worried and called for an end of violence to create a peaceful environment for Hong Kong's financial development.
HONG KONG, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Financial Secretary of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Paul Chan on Sunday reiterated the role of the "one country, two systems" in keeping financial advantages of Hong Kong, which is grappling with prolonged social unrest.
Chan said in an article published on his official blog that investors' confidence has not been affected to a certain degree, citing a stable Hong Kong dollar, free capital flows, no major capital flight, a smooth banking system, and abundant liquidity.
The Hang Seng Index closed at 27,651 on Friday, up from 26,900 at the end of May, largely keeping similar fluctuations with overseas markets, Chan said.
Chan attributed the stable performance mainly to the principle of "one country, two systems."
Xie Feng, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), delivers a speech at a forum on the development of the Greater Bay Area in Hong Kong, south China, Oct. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)
Apart from measures by the HKSAR government, "most importantly, Hong Kong was able to maintain its unique advantage and competitiveness under the framework of the 'one country, two systems'," Chan said.
The nation has brought about enormous opportunities to the HKSAR and firmly support its development, Chan said.
The capitalization of Hong Kong's stock market is 11 times the GDP, and total banking assets equal to nine times the GDP, which depends on the funds, enterprises and investors from the the global and in particular Chinese mainland, Chan said.
Chan added that more opportunities will come from the further connectivity between stock and bond markets and fund products between the mainland and Hong Kong.
Financial cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was highlighted at a meeting of the leading group for developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area on Wednesday.
At the meeting, measures were announced to help Hong Kong and Macao residents more easily use mobile payment in the Greater Bay Area and open cross-border bank accounts, and promote cross-border wealth management and insurance.
Chan noted that the new policy on cross-border wealth management will generate opportunities for asset management companies and banks in Hong Kong and drive huge demand for financial and other professional services.
Chan pointed out that more global asset management companies and financial institutions will set up offices or increase investment in Hong Kong. "That will help further reinforce Hong Kong's position as a international asset management center and a global hub of off-shore renminbi business."
However, Chan still warned the challenges posed by violent acts in recent months to social order and safety in Hong Kong makes investors worried and called for an end of violence to create a peaceful environment for Hong Kong's financial development.■
