Paul Chan: Hong Kong stocks have risen for two consecutive years, with a projected increase of 29% in 2025, making it the best-performing year since 2...

Foresight News , Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan published a personal essay titled "Striding Towards the New Year," in which he mentioned that in terms of asset markets, Hong Kong stocks are expected to rise for the second consecutive year in 2025. As of last week, the Hang Seng Index closed at 25,818 points, up approximately 29% from the end of last year, making it the best-performing year since 2017 in terms of gains. Regarding asset and wealth management, in the first nine months of this year, net inflows into SFC-approved funds registered in Hong Kong exceeded US$41 billion, more than 1.5 times the figure for the entire year of last year.

2026 marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, and Hong Kong will more proactively align itself with national development strategies. Finance, innovation and technology, and trade will be Hong Kong's three key growth engines. This includes comprehensively enhancing the functions and content of an international financial center; accelerating the construction and expansion of a world-class innovation and technology hub; and strengthening the functions of an international trade center.