New Year's Address of the Chairman for 2026
Release Date: 2026-01-01
New Year's Address of the Chairman for 2026
January 1, 2026
Esteemed colleagues and friends,
Greetings to all. As the new year dawns and everything is renewed, I am delighted to extend the most sincere New Year wishes on behalf of the Hong Kong Securities & Futures Professionals Association to all our members and industry friends. May you enjoy good health, smooth endeavors, and thriving business!
Reflecting on the past year, the global financial markets have been tumultuous, with challenges emerging one after another. As a part of the industry, I deeply appreciate the pressures and trials faced by our colleagues on the front lines. It is gratifying to see that, even amidst high uncertainty, our industry peers have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, calmly navigating market fluctuations to ensure the stable and orderly operation of Hong Kong's financial markets. This professionalism is the enduring core of Hong Kong's financial industry.
Looking Back at 2025: Cultivating and Advancing
The year 2025 has been one of pragmatic advancement and emerging results in our association's development. Amid profound changes in the industry ecosystem, our association has steadfastly adhered to our mission of serving members and revitalizing the industry, actively engaging in various areas:
1. Record Membership Growth and Active Advocacy
Over the past year, with the trust and support of our members, our association's development reached new heights, with active membership surpassing 3,000, further consolidating our status as one of the most representative unions in the industry.
Our commitment to "patriotism, dedication, and responsibility" has been highly recognized by all sectors of society. I was honored to receive the inaugural "Industry Model Star" award, co-organized by labor, capital, and government sectors, in October last year. This honor belongs not only to me but to all our members. The award particularly acknowledged our efforts in successfully advocating for the reduction of stock stamp duty to improve market conditions, promoting regulatory relaxation, and organizing fraud prevention seminars and youth training. This fully demonstrates that our direction in advocating for industry rights and fulfilling social responsibilities is correct and well-recognized.
In terms of rights protection, our work has never ceased. The "No Stop Trading During Typhoon" mechanism has been fully operational. More than a year ago, we actively communicated with regulatory bodies on issues concerning the operational costs, personnel safety, and system resilience of small and medium-sized brokers, advocating on their behalf. Over the past year, industry peers have demonstrated high professional standards to ensure smooth operation under adverse weather conditions. Nonetheless, our association continuously monitors these issues and maintains communication with regulatory bodies regarding the actual difficulties faced by small firms in system upgrades and compliance costs.
Additionally, we continuously pay attention to all aspects of market operations, proactively reflecting opinions to the government and regulatory bodies on issues involving the vital interests of the industry. Our association consistently acts as a regular communication bridge between the government and the industry, striving to achieve a reasonable balance between market development, risk management, and sustainable industry operation.
2. Advancing Professional Training and Embracing Technological Change
With the rapid development of digital assets and the extensive application of artificial intelligence in trading, risk control, and compliance, "understanding technology" is no longer a bonus but a necessity for survival. To comprehensively enhance the competitiveness of practitioners, our association continuously offers various Continuing Professional Training (CPT) courses. In addition to traditional compliance courses, we have significantly increased practical lectures on Web3.0, RWA (Real World Asset Tokenization), and artificial intelligence to assist members in mastering the practical application of new tools and models.
Only by equipping practitioners with a digital perspective can we turn challenges into opportunities in the wave of digital asset management, effectively utilizing new technologies to enhance efficiency and discover new business growth points.
3. Deepening Connectivity in the Greater Bay Area and Expanding Cross-Border Opportunities
Over the past year, one of our key tasks has been to assist members in better integrating into the national development framework. We organized delegations to Guangzhou and Nansha, engaging with the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, the Guangdong Securities and Futures Industry Association, the Federation of Industry and Commerce, and various tech-financial institutions.
Our association understands that the future of Hong Kong's financial industry must align with the development pace of the mainland. In the process of national high-quality development, Hong Kong cannot stand alone but should actively integrate into the national development framework. We are committed to establishing direct dialogue mechanisms with mainland regulatory bodies and industry organizations to accurately seize opportunities brought by national policies. Through on-site research and substantial connections, we have created a tangible interface for the industry, laying a crucial foundation for our members to participate in the vast futures and derivatives markets in the mainland.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Aligning with National Planning and Leading Industry Progress
The year 2026 marks an important beginning of the national "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" and a critical period for Hong Kong's financial industry to deepen reforms and embrace transformation.
The continuous expansion of interconnection mechanisms, further internationalization of the RMB, and the optimization and upgrade of the Greater Bay Area Wealth Management Connect will provide new development space for the industry. However, the accelerated application of artificial intelligence and the continuous enhancement of regulatory and compliance requirements also impose higher demands on practitioners' professional capabilities.
In the new year, our association will continue to play the roles of "Defender," "Enabler," and "Pioneer," walking alongside the industry:
1. Advocating for Rights: Continue focusing on the operational challenges of small and medium-sized brokers, striving to maintain a diverse and coexisting market ecosystem, and ensure that the industry's voice is effectively conveyed to decision-makers.
2. Empowering Professionals: Offer more diversified and practically valuable training courses to enhance members' core competitiveness in the age of artificial intelligence.
3. Paving the Way for Cross-Border Cooperation: Expand the network of exchanges with mainland and international peers, assist members in connecting with market resources, and seize opportunities to "go global" and "bring in."
Dear colleagues, the golden reputation of Hong Kong's financial industry is the result of the collective efforts of generations of practitioners. The path ahead in 2026 may still be turbulent, but as long as we unite, align with the national development direction, and leverage Hong Kong's institutional and professional advantages, we will surely open new development spaces amidst changes.
Finally, may our country prosper and thrive! May Hong Kong flourish in all sectors! May you all enjoy smooth career progress, happiness, and health in the new year!
Sincerely,
Mofiz CHAN
Chairman
Hong Kong Securities & Futures Professionals Association
Latest Major Events & Notices
Condolence Statement for Mr. David Webb
2026-01-14