Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee believes expanding into a gold trading center presents a significant opportunity. As an international financial hub, Hong Kong must pursue diversified development. In a recent interview, Lee noted that the city's stock market has already achieved considerable success. Against a backdrop of increasingly complex global political conditions, gold assets, known for their safe-haven characteristics, are gaining favor among investors. He mentioned that during consultations for last year's Policy Address, it became clear that many mainland institutional investors are active in gold trading. Besides trading domestically, they have substantial demand for gold transactions in overseas markets, making them key participants in the international gold market. If Hong Kong becomes a gold trading hub in the Asia-Pacific region, physical settlement would be more convenient for mainland investors. Lee also pointed out that Hong Kong's gold market currently operates on a membership system, which limits participation in investment and trading. The goal is to make gold trading as accessible as stock trading, allowing investors from various regions to participate, which will require establishing an efficient and reliable settlement system. Furthermore, Hong Kong plans to build its own gold storage facilities, targeting over 2,000 tons within three years to support the future gold trading and settlement system. Lee is confident that if Hong Kong succeeds in becoming a gold trading center, with more transactions, settlements, and physical deliveries conducted in the city, it will generate a substantial multiplier effect. This would not only promote the development of financial products but also create more opportunities for professional services, representing a win-win policy. He also commented that in any investment market, there are both optimists and pessimists. Savvy investors bet on the right stocks, while others may misjudge the situation, and some negative comments may stem from competitors' jealousy. In recent years, overseas investors he has engaged with have held very positive views of Hong Kong, which remains the world's third-largest financial center. Last year, the city regained its position as the global leader in funds raised through initial public offerings.