Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee announced a cooperation agreement with Shanghai to establish a gold trading ecosystem at the Asian Financial Forum, while highlighting record highs in foreign and mainland Chinese firms in the city.
At the opening of the 19th Asian Financial Forum on Monday, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced a cooperation agreement with Shanghai to establish a gold trading ecosystem. He highlighted Hong Kong's "unprecedented achievements" and noted record highs in the number of foreign and mainland Chinese companies and start-ups in the city.
According to the government's latest annual survey, the number of foreign and mainland-affiliated firms with parent companies based outside Hong Kong reached 11,070 in 2025, up 11 per cent year on year. "The encouraging results represent more than a vote of confidence in Hong Kong by these businesses and entrepreneurs," Lee said. "They also mean our solid efforts in facilitating business establishment and operation, and in creating an enabling ecosystem for start-ups, are bearing fruit."
Foreign companies from Singapore, France, Australia, the United States, and Switzerland rose by more than 11 per cent, while those from Asean countries and the Middle East increased by about 10 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. This surge underscores Hong Kong's appeal as an international financial hub.
The agreement involves the Hong Kong Gold Exchange and the Shanghai Gold Exchange, aiming to enhance gold trading cooperation between the two cities. The forum gathered financial leaders to discuss regional economic issues.
