The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Ms Zou Jiayi, at Government House today (October 19) to exchange views on further strengthening regional financial co-operation. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, also attended the meeting.
Mr Lee welcomed Ms Zou and her delegation to Hong Kong for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministers' Meeting 2026. He said that the AIIB has all along supported developing economies in improving infrastructure and promoting sustainable economic development, and Hong Kong, as a member of the AIIB, has been actively supporting the AIIB's work. With the announcement of Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address last month, Hong Kong will continue to consolidate and enhance its financial strengths, strengthen development in areas including green finance, financial technology and offshore Renminbi business, which will help support the AIIB's project financing, fundraising and financial management to promote the sustainable development of infrastructure in Asia.
Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is one of the world's leading international financial centres. It continues to come first as the world's freest economy and ranks third globally and first in Asia in the Global Financial Centres Index. With its vibrant capital market, world-class professional services and diversified financial products, Hong Kong is well placed to provide flexible capital allocation support for the AIIB's projects such as those relating to carbon neutrality and green economic transformation. Mr Lee added that the AIIB's issuance of Hong Kong dollar bonds in Hong Kong in recent years is a testament to the achievements of financial co-operation between the two sides. He welcomed the AIIB's continued use of Hong Kong's strengths as an international financial hub and its mature and comprehensive bond market to connect with investors around the world and empower projects with added value.
Mr Lee said that he is pleased that the AIIB will soon establish in Hong Kong an office serving both financing and operational functions, demonstrating Hong Kong's role as a gateway connecting the country and the world. He believed that the establishment of the office will create more opportunities for the local financial sector and deepen co-operation and exchanges between the two sides. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will fully support the establishment and operation of the office, giving full play to Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to facilitate the AIIB's business expansion. He expressed the hope that both sides will continue to work together to strengthen collaboration in areas such as transition finance, technology and innovation and talent development to jointly promote regional economic prosperity.
