The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is positioning itself as a global talent hub for the next generation, creating new opportunities through policy initiatives and closer ties with emerging markets.
Officials and business leaders made the remarks on Monday at the Global Youth Powerhouse Summit 2026 in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the city’s First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address, unveiled in mid-September, both put young people at the center, with a focus on nurturing their growth and ambitions.
Citing the Northern Metropolis, a mega development project, Lee said the SAR government is developing six dedicated industry parks covering sectors such as innovation and technology, advanced manufacturing, and modern logistics.
These parks will attract companies from around the world, creating high-level jobs and new opportunities for young professionals, he said.
“The younger generation is not only the beneficiary of our reforms — it is also the driving force behind them,” Lee said.
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In addition to the Hong Kong SAR’s inaugural five-year plan setting out a road map for strengthening its global competitiveness, the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), released earlier this year, also outlined support for Hong Kong to consolidate and enhance its role as an international center for finance, trade, shipping, innovation and technology, as well as legal services and dispute resolution.
Hong Kong Deputy Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan said these initiatives are opening up new opportunities for young professionals across a wide range of fields.
Cheung said the Department of Justice has been working closely with Chinese mainland authorities to connect local professionals with mainland enterprises with strong growth potential.
As mainland companies expand overseas, they will need world-class legal, financial and other services, presenting opportunities for young professionals, he said.
Business leaders at the event also underscored the opportunities arising from Hong Kong’s extensive international network and strengthening ties with emerging markets.
Frederick Ma Si-hang, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, highlighted the trend of foreign companies listing in Hong Kong. For example, Kazakhstan’s state-owned railway operator, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, submitted a listing application to the Hong Kong stock exchange, shortly after a high-level business delegation led by Lee visited the country in June.
Ma said the HKTDC plans to increase staffing at its branch office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to handle growing business exchanges and information inquiries. The council will then study whether to upgrade the office or open new ones in other Central Asian countries, such as Uzbekistan.
Bonnie Chan Yi-ting, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd, pointed to strong investor interest in technology and artificial intelligence-related sectors, saying that demand for initial public offerings in these sectors remains robust.
She added that HKEX will ensure efforts to attract technology and AI companies do not come at the expense of other sectors or smaller-cap firms, as HKEX aims to maintain an inclusive market.
Contact the writers at irisli@chinadailyhk.com
