Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Sunday that the city's economy showed resilience in the first quarter of 2026 amid volatility in equity and oil markets caused by war in the Middle East. Investors continued moving assets to the city, drawn by mainland China's steady economic growth and a large number of initial public offerings in Hong Kong. He noted the geopolitical landscape was complex and fast-changing, with uncertainty from the United States-Israel attack on Iran clouding the stock market.
Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in his Sunday review that the city's economy showed resilience in the first quarter of 2026.
Despite volatility in equity and oil markets from war in the Middle East, investors continued to increase their asset allocation in Hong Kong, according to Chan.
"Amid the uncertainty, investors are increasing their asset allocation here," he said. "They not only treat Hong Kong as a reliable haven for funds but also see the ample investment opportunities offered by Hong Kong because of the steady economic growth on the mainland and the listing of a large number of high-quality enterprises here."
Chan described the first-quarter geopolitical landscape as complex and fast-changing, with uncertainty related to the United States-Israel attack on Iran continuing to cloud the stock market.
His review did not address whether Hong Kong would meet its full-year growth forecast of between 2.5 and 3.5 per cent, which the minister predicted in his late February budget speech just before the conflict began.
