At the China Development Forum 2026 annual meeting held from March 22 to March 23, the Chairman of MTR Corporation Limited's Board of Directors, Jacob Kam, delivered a speech.
Kam stated that China, as the world's second-largest economy and a benchmark for emerging economies, has seen its competitiveness and influence within the global economic system further strengthen and rise in recent years, playing a significant role in global economic stability and growth. He mentioned that Hong Kong has consistently been a crucial window for the nation's openness. Under the "one country, two systems" framework, it leverages its role and unique advantages of "relying on the motherland and connecting with the world," contributing to enhancing the international competitiveness of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the nation's financial services.
Kam expressed that in the current environment of increasing global uncertainty, Hong Kong, as an international financial, shipping, and trade center, possesses the unique advantage of being a confluence of Eastern and Western cultures. Furthermore, multinational corporations in Hong Kong can utilize their long-accumulated global networks and deep, intrinsic connections with the mainland to build better bridges for mainland enterprises to access global markets, thus acting as a "super connector" linking the mainland with the world.
Additionally, Hong Kong is a hub for international professionals in finance, law, taxation, and other fields. These professionals are familiar with the legal systems, regulatory requirements, and market rules of different regions and can assist mainland enterprises in effectively navigating the risks and requirements of various markets during their "going global" process. This also helps enhance their risk resilience.
"Let us walk more steadily and go further in the process of globalization together with mainland enterprises, fulfilling the role of a 'super value-adder' that creates unique value for the nation," Kam said.
Kam introduced that MTR Corporation, as Hong Kong's primary transport infrastructure builder and operator, actively contributes to Hong Kong's construction and development through its integrated "Railway + Property" development model and diverse businesses such as station commerce, setting an industry benchmark for sustainable railway operations. MTR has long been involved in the development of rail transit systems in mainland cities. It currently operates nine metro lines in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen, with a total length exceeding 300 kilometers.
Looking ahead, he stated that MTR Corporation will continue to seize opportunities presented by national development, leverage its strengths to meet the nation's needs, further deepen synergistic cooperation with outstanding mainland enterprises, and assist in deploying the nation's advanced rail transit technology and mature experience to better serve the country and explore more opportunities for "jointly sailing overseas," thereby integrating its actions into the broader context of serving national development.