HONG KONG CONNECT

No.5 May, 2025


	Fitch affirms Hong Kong’s “AA-“credit rating and “stable” outlook Fitch on 23 May affirmed Hong Kong’s credit rating at “AA-” with a “stable” outlook and recognised Hong Kong’s strong credit fundamentals, including large fiscal buffers, robust external finances, and a low level of fiscal debt. It also pointed out that Hong Kong’s banking sector is resilient, with solid funding and liquidity. Recent data have demonstrated the continued strengthening of Hong Kong’ status and role as an international financial centre, along with growing confidence from global investors. Leveraging its unique advantages of connecting with both the Mainland and the rest of the world under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, Hong Kong will aptly adjust to the global trade realignment and seize opportunities. As a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, Hong Kong remains committed to linking the Mainland with the world, deepening ties with traditional markets while expanding economic and investment networks in emerging markets, particularly those in the Global South. More details here.

	Hong Kong hosts first 6G Global Summit in Asia-Pacific region The 6G Global Summit was successfully held in Hong Kong from 8 to 9 May, the first time the event has taken place in the Asia-Pacific region. The two-day international conference brought together over 600 participants from more than 80 countries, including high-level representatives from policymakers, regulatory bodies, international organisations, telecommunications operators and corporations, as well as industry experts and scholars, to explore the potential of sixth-generation (6G) mobile communications technology. In his keynote speech at the Summit, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Algernon Yau, said that Hong Kong's hosting of the Summit not only reflects the city’s long-standing stature as a global and regional telecommunications hub, but also underscores the Government’s commitment to driving innovation and fostering collaboration in this transformative field. Mr Yau highlighted Hong Kong's highly acclaimed position in leading the development of 6G and stressed that the Government is fully committed to fostering a conducive environment that drives technological advancement and prepares Hong Kong for the 6G era. More details here.

	Asia Summit on Global Health The Asia Summit on Global Health was held on 26 May under the theme "Fostering Global Collaboration for a Shared Future”. The event brought together more than 2,800 experts from over 40 countries and regions to explore opportunities for innovation and international collaboration in global healthcare. Speaking at the Summit, the Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mr John Lee, underscored Hong Kong’s position as a leading regional hub for health innovation. He highlighted Hong Kong’s unique advantages under “one country, two systems,” its world-class research environment, and deep integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He also highlighted key initiatives, including cross-border clinical trials, streamlined drug approvals, and major investments in health tech, reinforcing Hong Kong’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and accelerating medical breakthroughs for a healthier future. More details here.

	Global Prosperity Summit 2025 The Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mr John Lee delivered remarks at the Welcome Dinner for the Global Prosperity Summit 2025, where he highlighted the importance of the Summit as a platform to better understand the global tariff conundrum and work out sensible, collaborative responses. He emphasised Hong Kong’s pivotal player in the Belt and Road Initiative, made possible by its internationally recognised financial and professional services sector, which connects economies, companies and peoples across the globe for mutual benefit. He also reflected on his recent Middle East trip, where he introduced Hong Kong's advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle to leaders in Qatar and Kuwait. Reaffirming Hong Kong’s status as a free port and an economy built on free trade, he noted Hong Kong, like the Mainland, is a passionate advocate of a multilateral, rules-based global economy and is committed to consolidating its relations with traditional economies, while co-operating with emerging economies in this changing world. More details here.

	HKMoA welcomes its 5 000 000^th visitor The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) continues to be warmly received by both local residents and tourists. On 21 May, the museum welcomed its 5 000 000^th visitor since its expansion and reopening in 2019. With its distinctive modern architecture and rich collections, the HKMoA has become a cultural landmark and a popular tourist attraction in Hong Kong. The museum has been listed three times among the world’s 100 most visited art museums by the international art publication “The Art Newspaper” in 2022, 2024 and 2025. The HKMoA remains dedicated to its mission of bridging Chinese and Western cultures, supporting Hong Kong’s positioning as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges under the National 14^th Five-Year Plan. More details here.



	HKETO showcases trade potential at Tasmania Business Seminar HKETO Sydney co-hosted a business seminar in Hobart, Tasmania, on 1 May with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Invest Hong Kong and the Australia China Business Council (Tasmania Chapter) to explore and promote trade and investment opportunities between Hong Kong and Tasmania. In his welcome remarks, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a gateway to the Mainland and Asia, and a global hub for wine and spirits trading. He noted that Hong Kong’s open market, world-class logistics, and favourable regulatory environment are well-positioned to facilitate trade and investment in the wine and spirits sector. The recently reduced duty rate for liquor with an import price above HK$200 (i.e. A$40) from 100% to 10% presents new opportunities for premium alcohol exports to Hong Kong. During his stay in Tasmania, Mr Chong also toured a number of local distilleries to promote liquor trading in Hong Kong and gain deeper insights into the strengths of Tasmania’s alcohol industry.

	Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Reception in Sydney HKETO Sydney hosted a cocktail reception for the visiting delegation of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) in Sydney on 5 May, to showcase Hong Kong’s professional services sector and explore greater collaboration opportunities with the Australian engineering community. In his welcome remarks, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, welcomed the delegation and highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between Hong Kong and Australia’s engineering sectors. Mr Chong emphasised Hong Kong’s commitment to sharpening its competitive edge through a range of forward-looking initiatives, including advancing innovation and technology-driven industries, and reinforcing Hong Kong’s strategic positioning as “Three Centres and One Hub” — an International Financial Centre, International Trade Centre, International Shipping Centre, and Talent Hub. Mr Chong also shared the HKSAR Government’s proactive efforts to attract top talent and strategic professionals, as well as its strong focus on boosting housing supply and expediting the development of key infrastructure such as the Northern Metropolis. The President of HKIE, Ir Eric Ma, also addressed the reception and shared the Institution’s work and the latest developments in Hong Kong’s engineering sector.

	HKETO engages New Zealand stakeholders on Greater Bay Area opportunities The Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, participated in the “Greater Bay Area Seminar” hosted by the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association in Auckland on 8 May. In his welcome remarks, Mr Chong highlighted the latest developments in the GBA, underscoring Hong Kong’s unique role as a "super-connector" and "super value-adder" under the “one country, two systems” framework. He outlined the region’s strategic strengths in connectivity, innovation, and economic integration, and encouraged New Zealand businesses to leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to access the vast opportunities in the GBA. During his stay in Auckland and Wellington, Mr Chong also attended a business luncheon hosted by BusinessNZ with the Prime Minister of New Zealand and held meetings with government officials to further strengthen the bilateral ties between Hong Kong and New Zealand.

	HKETO fosters next generation at Young Professional Alliance 2025 The Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Timothy Chau, participated in the Young Professional Alliance 2025 hosted by the HKABA Victoria Chapter in Melbourne on 15 May. The event brought together a dynamic gathering of young leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals committed to strengthening Hong Kong–Australia ties. In his welcome remarks, Mr Chau highlighted the long-standing partnership between Hong Kong and Victoria, spanning trade, innovation, and culture. He encouraged participants to explore new opportunities in Hong Kong, particularly in emerging hubs such as the Kai Tak Sports Park and the West Kowloon Cultural District, underscoring the city's vibrancy and potential for collaboration. Mr Chau reaffirmed Hong Kong's role as a strategic gateway to Asia, highlighting the importance of youth engagement in shaping the future of bilateral collaboration. The event catalysed dialogue, connection, and inspiration, empowering the next generation of changemakers to envision bold new possibilities.

	City University of Hong Kong visited Hong Kong House HKETO Sydney received a student delegation from the Department of Decision Analytics and Operations of the City University of Hong Kong on 21 May. The study group was briefed by the Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Timothy Chau, who provided an overview of HKETO's work, including its recent and upcoming events, as well as its efforts in investment promotion and talent attraction. Mr Chau also highlighted HKETO’s role in promoting Hong Kong’s strengths in Australia and New Zealand while fostering collaboration between Hong Kong and the two countries. The visit concluded with a tour of Hong Kong House, where students explored the building's history and significance.



	*The Hong Kong Children’s Choir to perform in Hobart, Sydney and Auckland this July (Australia and New Zealand)* Founded in 1969, the Hong Kong Children’s Choir (HKCC) is the city’s first and largest children’s choir, with over 5,000 members. Celebrated globally as “Little Goodwill Singing Ambassadors” and recognised as one of the world’s finest children’s choirs, HKCC is renowned for its musical excellence and cultural outreach. This July, HKCC will bring its acclaimed concert tour to Australia and New Zealand. As part of the tour, the choir will perform at the renowned Festival of Voices in Hobart, before heading to Sydney for a charity concert on 9 July at Sydney Town Hall in support of CanRevive. The tour will conclude with the Dreams to Dream concert in Auckland on 11 July, featuring a rich repertoire of Eastern and Western choral works, including world premieres by talented Hong Kong composers. Don’t miss this inspiring musical journey that celebrates the voices and dreams of Hong Kong’s youth. More details here. Tickets for the Sydney concert will be available soon via Humanitix.

	*Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 (Hong Kong)* From 24 to 30 July, four of the world’s top football clubs, Liverpool FC, AC Milan, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, will come together for the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 (HKFF) at the newly opened Kai Tak Stadium, the city’s premier venue for Asia’s mega events. Football fans in Hong Kong and across the region will witness two blockbuster matches, along with open training sessions offering a rare opportunity to see their favourite teams prepare up close. More details here.

	*HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair (Hong Kong)* This annual HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair will return from 16 to 22 July, bringing together publishers, authors and readers to celebrate and promote a culture of reading. This year’s theme, “Food Culture • Future Living”, will be explored through a rich programme of cultural activities, including seminars with renowned international authors and the popular “World of Art and Culture” zone. The fair invites the public to discover new perspectives and explore the world through books. More details here.

	*Exploring Eco-tourism opportunities in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis (Hong Kong)* The HKSAR Government is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the proposed development of two Eco-tourism Nodes at Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai in Yuen Long, as part of the large-scale development project, Northern Metropolis, in Hong Kong. Aimed at promoting sustainable tourism, the initiative welcomes local and international interested parties, particularly those with experience in eco-tourism development. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their proposals by 12 noon, 2 July. More details here.

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