The Zhitong Finance App learned that on October 19, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Li Jiachao met with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Governor Zou Jiayi to exchange views on further strengthening regional financial cooperation. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong, Mr Hui Ching-yu, also attended.
Li Jiachao welcomed a delegation led by Zou Jiayi to attend the upcoming 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Organization Finance Ministers Meeting. He said that the AIIB has always supported developing economies to improve infrastructure and promote sustainable economic development. As a member of the AIIB, Hong Kong actively supports the AIIB's work. Last month, Hong Kong announced the “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” and “Policy Address”, which will continue to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's financial advantages, strengthen the development of green finance, fintech, and offshore RMB business, help support AIIB's project financing and financial management, and promote the sustainable development of infrastructure in Asia.
Li Jiachao said that Hong Kong is one of the leading international financial centers, topping the list of the freest economies in the world, ranking third in the world and number one in Asia in the “Global Financial Center Index”. It has a booming capital market, cutting-edge professional services, and diverse financial products, which can provide flexible capital allocation support for AIIB projects such as carbon neutrality and green economy transformation. The AIIB's recent issuance of Hong Kong dollar bonds in Hong Kong is the result of financial cooperation between the two sides. Li Jiachao welcomed the AIIB's continued use of Hong Kong's financial hub advantages and mature and complete bond market to connect with investors from around the world and empower the project to add value.
Li Jiachao said he is very happy that the AIIB will soon set up an office with both financing and operation functions in Hong Kong, reflecting Hong Kong as a gateway connecting the country and the world. He believes that the establishment of the office will create more opportunities for the local financial industry in Hong Kong and deepen cooperation and exchanges between the two sides. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will fully assist in the establishment and operation of the office, play the role of “super contact person” and “super value-added person” to help the AIIB expand its business. He hoped that the two sides would continue to work hand in hand to strengthen cooperation in the fields of transformational finance, technological innovation, and talent training to jointly promote regional economic prosperity.