Innovation and geopolitical factors are actively reshaping the capital markets, with Hong Kong possessing a distinct advantage in global connectivity, according to Mary Huen, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area, during her speech at the Asian Financial Forum. In the face of a continuously evolving environment, the timely implementation of policy measures has been instrumental in boosting market confidence. The recent move by the People's Bank of China and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to expand the cross-border RMB liquidity arrangement to 200 billion yuan has laid a solid foundation for the next phase of connectivity initiatives. This renewed confidence is already being reflected in economic indicators, capital market performance, and commercial activity, and is now translating into tangible outcomes.

Bonnie Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), stated that the exchange's current competitors extend beyond traditional bourses to include emerging virtual platforms, necessitating a deep and broad range of professional capabilities. Investors are increasingly seeking exposure to the Chinese market, and Hong Kong must respond by offering a diverse array of product choices beyond equities. Chan indicated that the future development of the exchange is inextricably linked to stablecoins, tokenization, and 24-hour trading. HKEX remains committed to ongoing technological investment and is also driving infrastructure reforms, including initiatives to shorten the settlement cycle for new stock listings.