On 20 October 2026, hong kong opened its doors to the two-day APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting the first time the gathering has been hosted in the SAR. The summit, running from Tuesday into Wednesday, is staged in Wan Chai and brings together finance chiefs from 21 APEC economies, alongside delegates from international organisations and the broader business community.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu used the opening session of a Greater Bay Area-focused summit to underline the strategic importance of the event. He thanked the Chinese Ministry of Finance for the confidence shown in Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre and highlighted the meeting’s role as a platform to dispel lingering misconceptions about the city’s economic outlook.
Why the Apec Finance Ministers’ Meeting matters for Hong Kong
The gathering is more than a diplomatic courtesy; it is the final ministerial-level meeting before the APEC Economic Leaders’ summit scheduled for Shenzhen next month. Lee described the finance ministers’ summit as “significant for Hong Kong to leverage its financial advantages to serve the APEC Chinese year”. By hosting the conference ahead of the leaders’ meeting, Hong Kong positions itself as a bridge between the broader APEC agenda and China’s own priorities for the year.
Lee emphasized that the meeting provides a rare occasion to present Hong Kong’s “comprehensive development” across economy, finance and society to a global audience. He noted that the city will illustrate how its experience as an offshore renminbi hub asset-management centre and risk-management hub can benefit partner economies. The government also plans to announce the inclusion of renminbi counters in the Stock Connect scheme, a step meant to broaden offshore renminbi liquidity and product variety.
Hong Kong’s blueprint for a stronger Greater Bay Area role
Beyond the immediate showcase, Lee linked the APEC meeting to Hong Kong’s longer-term development plan that runs from 2026 to 2030. The SAR’s five-year strategy aligns with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, aiming to transform Hong Kong into a world-class innovation and technology hub. Central to this vision is the development of the Northern Metropolis, a new district that will host a university town, advanced-tech parks and high-end talent facilities.
Lee pointed out that Hong Kong is the only city worldwide with five universities ranking in the global top-100, and it is placed fourth in the global talent-competitiveness index. Leveraging this advantage, the administration intends to turn the city into a high-end talent magnet that fuels technology, trade and finance across the Greater Bay Area. The Lok Ma Chau Loop park, part of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, already hosts over 100 tech firms; its first building, “Hetao Research and Innovation One”, is slated for completion by the end of 2026.
In the maritime sphere, Lee highlighted a shift from a traditional “tonnage port” to a “value port” through digitalisation, green initiatives and smart logistics. By deepening coordination with Shenzhen and Guangzhou ports, Hong Kong aims to create a multimodal transport network that enhances its position as a key shipping gateway linking South China with South America.
All these initiatives, Lee argued, will be woven into the narrative presented at the APEC meeting. The city will demonstrate how its financial expertise, talent pool, and infrastructural upgrades interlock with the broader aspirations of the Greater Bay Area, offering foreign investors a clear picture of opportunity and stability.
