Asia SGE | Port of Ideas: Hong Kong Hosts the Brain Trust Reshaping Global Money - Asian Financial Forum

The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) opened in Hong Kong, setting a collaborative tone for global finance in 2026. With the theme "Co-creating New Horizons amid an Evolving Landscape," the event brings together global leaders to navigate economic shifts, emphasizing finance's role in supporting real-world innovation.

Hong Kong's Strategic Vision and Record Growth

Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, emphasized the city's unique strengths under the "one country, two systems" principle. A key indicator of confidence is the record 11,070 foreign- and mainland-affiliated companies in Hong Kong in 2025, an 11% year-on-year increase. The government's strategy to solidify its status as an international financial center includes deepening the equity market, expanding the bond market, advancing asset and wealth management, and building an international gold and commodities trading ecosystem.

Key Announcements and Strategic Partnerships

A major development was the signing of a cooperation agreement between Hong Kong's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Shanghai Gold Exchange. This pact aims to establish a collaborative governance structure for Hong Kong's new gold central clearing system and enhance physical infrastructure synergy. This move is a strategic step to develop Hong Kong as a key international gold trading hub, improving connectivity with mainland markets.

Forum Focus: Connecting Finance to the Real Economy

A significant insight from this year's forum is the increased focus on strengthening ties between finance and the real economy. As highlighted by Frederick Ma, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the inaugural Global Business Summit was introduced to assess the impact of high-growth industries like artificial intelligence, robotics, and healthcare. This reflects a broader market trend where capital is increasingly seeking to fuel sustainable, innovation-driven growth rather than operating in a purely financial sphere. The forum's agenda, featuring over 40 sessions on the global economic outlook, wealth management, and supply chain financing, underscores this comprehensive approach.

Opinion: Hong Kong's Evolving Role in a New Landscape

The forum highlights Hong Kong's adaptive strategy in a changing global order. By leveraging its foundational strengths—rule of law, free flow of capital, and a deep talent pool—and aggressively integrating with the technological and industrial trends of the future, Hong Kong is proactively writing its next chapter. The partnership with the Shanghai Gold Exchange is a pragmatic move that enhances its niche as a super-connector, offering trusted infrastructure for mainland China's financial internationalization while providing global investors with secure access.

The market trend is clear: the future of leading financial centers lies in their ability to facilitate not just capital flows, but also the growth of next-generation industries. Hong Kong's push into areas like green finance, fintech, and now the physical commodities ecosystem with gold, positions it to capture new waves of investment.

Conclusion

The first day of the 19th Asian Financial Forum showcased a forward-looking Hong Kong, confident in its legacy and focused on building tangible bridges between capital and innovation. The record number of companies choosing Hong Kong as their base, combined with strategic partnerships and a forum agenda tied to the real economy, sends a strong signal of resilience and ambition. As the forum continues, the discussions will likely further cement the idea that in an evolving world, the most successful financial hubs will be those that co-create value far beyond their own markets.

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