Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan: Three Key Directions for Advancing Stock Connect in the Fut

On November 18, in the speech at the 10th Connect Summit hosted by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), Paul Chan Mo-po, Hong Kong Financial Secretary, highlighted three key directions for the future development of the Stock Connect mechanism, emphasizing its transition from "quantity" to "quality." First, the importance of Hong Kong's internationalization will further increase. As China deepens its economic and trade ties with the global market and continues to promote high-level financial opening-up, the Chinese Mainland enterprises are expected to accelerate and expand their overseas investments, while international investments into the Chinese Mainland will also see steady growth. Second, the Stock Connect will contribute to China's real economy and the construction of a strong financial nation. By attracting more international capital through the mechanism, funds can be more efficiently matched with industrial development in the Chinese Mainland, fostering steady and diversified economic growth. Furthermore, innovations in the Stock Connect system will drive product innovation, facilitating the development of RMB-denominated stocks, bonds, and risk management instruments, thereby supporting the prudent and orderly advancement of RMB internationalization. Third, the mechanism will enhance connectivity between global capital markets. Through Stock Connect, Hong Kong provides international investors with a convenient platform to access the Chinese Mainland capital, while offering them a broader array of investment products and risk management tools.