Receiving representatives of businesses newly arrived in Hong Kong at Government House

Today, I hosted a reception at Government House for several hundred representatives of businesses that have established their presence in Hong Kong over the past year to thank them for choosing Hong Kong as a base for business development, thus giving a boost to Hong Kong's economy.

I always say that it is of paramount importance to promote economic development, without which we can hardly talk about improving people's livelihood, alleviating poverty, caring for the elderly and supporting the disadvantaged.

According to the World Investment Report newly released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Hong Kong ranks second in global foreign direct investment inflows and outflows, registering inflows of US$103 billion and outflows of US$143 billion, next only to the Mainland of China and the United States respectively. These encouraging figures illustrate that, although being just a city, Hong Kong is a global and regional investment hub second in importance only to the world's two largest economies.

By coming to Hong Kong, investors have in fact arrived in China. They also enjoy the advantages of "Two Systems" here and demonstrate Hong Kong's role as a "super-connector" linking the Mainland of China with the rest of the world. In the years ahead, we will capitalise on the "One Belt, One Road" initiatives and the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to boost Hong Kong's economy and provide better development opportunities for all sectors and for people from all walks of life in Hong Kong.

June 25, 2015