Hong Kong's international competitiveness has received a strong endorsement from the latest data released by the Immigration Department. In 2025, a total of 31,278 foreign professional work visas were approved under the General Employment Policy, more than double the figure from 2021. Among these, financial services sector visas surged by 17% year-on-year, reaching a new high since 2022, with the majority of applicants coming from Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

At a time when global geopolitical landscapes are shifting rapidly and major economies are fiercely competing for talent, these over 30,000 work visas represent a vote of confidence from foreign professionals staking their careers on Hong Kong. They also clearly outline three powerful attractions that Hong Kong has released during its journey from stabilization to prosperity.

First, the steady development of Hong Kong's capital markets. Talent flows are a barometer of industrial trends. The substantial growth in the financial services sector is no coincidence. As an international financial center, Hong Kong boasts a complete financial industry chain, a highly market-oriented business environment, and diverse cross-border operations. It serves as a crucial hub for global capital allocation, perfectly matching the work experience and career aspirations of talents from around the world. In 2025, Hong Kong's IPO fundraising reached HKD 285.8 billion, a more than twofold increase year-on-year, ranking first globally in new stock market financing. Average daily trading volume also hit a record high. In the bond market, Hong Kong has solidified its position as a leading international bond issuance hub in Asia, accounting for nearly 30% of the region's total. Furthermore, Hong Kong has become the world's largest cross-border wealth management center, with the SAR government enhancing tax concessions to attract more family offices and fund managers to set up operations.

Second, Hong Kong's openness, inclusiveness, and livability. A superior institutional and living environment forms the foundation for attracting and retaining talent. Institutionally, under the "one country, two systems" framework, Hong Kong operates under common law and maintains a simple, low-tax regime. National Committee Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Zhu Dingjian, pointed out that Hong Kong has long maintained a maximum salary tax rate of 15% and exempts bonus tax and capital gains tax. He suggested the SAR government create a "post-tax income calculator" for global high-end talent to visually demonstrate actual earnings in Hong Kong. On the lifestyle front, from a comprehensive global flight network to top-tier educational resources and advanced medical services, Hong Kong can meet the quality-of-life requirements of foreign professionals and their families. In June, the International Institute for Management Development released its 2026 World Competitiveness Yearbook, in which Hong Kong ranked second globally, with top marks in factors such as "economic performance," "education," and "basic infrastructure."

Third, Hong Kong's role as a "safe harbor" is becoming increasingly prominent amid its transition from stabilization to prosperity. The influx of foreign talent is inseparable from a stable and orderly social environment, as well as Hong Kong's unique value of being backed by the motherland while connecting to the world. As a SAR government spokesperson previously stated, under the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong's safe and stable business environment has received widespread international recognition. Recent geopolitical events have further highlighted Hong Kong's role as a "safe harbor." For foreign professionals, Hong Kong not only offers a rule system aligned with international standards but also serves as a convenient platform connecting to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the vast Chinese mainland market. By basing themselves in Hong Kong, a "safe harbor," they can confidently develop their careers and businesses while benefiting from the dividends of China's high-level opening-up.

It is worth noting that the SAR government has proactively optimized talent introduction policies and accelerated the layout of emerging industries, turning Hong Kong's stabilization and prosperity into tangible and accessible development opportunities. The intensity of talent aggregation reflects urban development efficiency. The doubling of foreign professional work visas demonstrates that international talent is recognizing Hong Kong's industrial development, institutional advantages, and social stability with concrete actions, indicating that Hong Kong is establishing an irreplaceable position in the global talent landscape.