Response to the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address
Release Date: 2025-09-17
Hong Kong Securities & Futures Professionals Association’s Response to the 2025 Policy Address
Hong Kong Securities & Futures Professionals Association supports the financial market strategies outlined in the 2025 Policy Address, which demonstrate a strong commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s role as an international financial centre.
We highly endorse the strategic shift toward "Bringing In and Going Global." Leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths as an international platform, the government’s focus on supporting mainland enterprises expanding abroad—through enhanced financial, professional, and logistical support—is a pragmatic approach. Developing a headquarters economy integrated with education and technology will create international career pathways and attract talent and capital. The Association is ready to collaborate on implementation to ensure orderly market development.
The opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area and Belt and Road Initiative are recognized. Hong Kong’s connectivity can facilitate cross-border capital flows and financial innovation, but this must be underpinned by robust regulation, risk management, and talent development. We support closer regulatory coordination and will provide expertise in areas like fintech and green finance to strengthen Hong Kong’s role in national strategy.
We welcome the proposed "Head of Department Accountability System," which emphasizes results-driven governance and accountability. This can enhance public sector efficiency and market confidence. We offer our support in areas of professional standards and risk management.
The focus on AI and data science is applauded. While innovation in applications such as fintech is encouraged, a clear regulatory framework for cross-border data, computing infrastructure, and model governance is essential. We emphasize the need for talent development and international cooperation and are prepared to advise on AI governance in financial markets.
The comprehensive integration into national development strategies is strongly supported. Facilitating the global expansion of mainland enterprises through financial, professional, and trading services will reinforce Hong Kong’s role as an international hub. We support the establishment of task forces and promoting cross-border cooperation, particularly in emerging areas like Islamic finance.
Initiatives to deepen cooperation with the Greater Bay Area in commodities, carbon trading, and digital finance are endorsed. Reliable infrastructure and transparent mechanisms are vital for success. Cross-border collaboration must be accompanied by regulatory alignment and risk controls.
Measures to enhance the securities market—including boosting liquidity, supporting tech listings, shortening settlement cycles, and expanding RMB products—are viewed positively. These will consolidate Hong Kong’s role as an offshore RMB centre. Tax incentives for funds and family offices, as well as the development of fintech and digital assets under a balanced regulatory approach, are also supported.
We commend the focus on green finance, including carbon market connectivity and commodity ecosystem development. These initiatives position Hong Kong to lead in regional sustainable finance.
The Association is committed to supporting the government and regulators in implementing these policies through professional input on risk assessment, regulatory design, and talent development.
Finally, we support enhancing Hong Kong’s role as an international legal and dispute resolution hub. Maintaining judicial independence and international standards will be key to attracting cross-border commercial disputes.