The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) today unveiled a strategic action plan to support the implementation of Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address through a series of short-, medium- and long-term measures to promote the high-quality development of Hong Kong’s capital markets and further consolidate Hong Kong’s competitive advantages as an international financial centre. The SFC’s plan also seeks to align with the directions of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, thereby enhancing Hong Kong’s unique role in the Nation’s financial opening-up and high-standard opening-up to the rest of the world.
At its recent meeting, the Board of Directors of the SFC held an in-depth discussion on the key directions of Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address. The Board also discussed how to formulate a concrete strategic action plan to effectively implement the relevant policy objectives in Hong Kong’s capital markets. The measures in the plan dovetail with the policy objectives in the Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address, covering important areas including market development, the internationalisation of the renminbi (RMB), mutual market access, wealth management, risk management, market quality and financial security.
The SFC considers that Hong Kong’s First Five-year plan and the Policy Address provide a clear direction for the future development of Hong Kong’s financial markets. As a market regulator and a facilitator of market development, the SFC will actively support the HKSAR Government in promoting high-quality financial development and work with the industry to translate policy directions into market outcomes, thereby enhancing the depth, breadth and international competitiveness of Hong Kong’s financial markets.
On consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a global offshore RMB business hub, the SFC’s Chairman Dr Kelvin Wong said: “Hong Kong has always been a unique and trusted bridge between Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. Our mission is to further consolidate and enhance this unique advantage, enabling Hong Kong to better serve the overall development of our Nation while creating value for global investors and the real economy.”
“The SFC’s strategic action plan is not only a proactive response to the development priorities of our Nation and the HKSAR Government, but also an important blueprint for the long-term development of Hong Kong’s capital markets. By consolidating our traditional strengths, fostering new growth drivers, and continuing to enhance market quality and integrity, we are confident that Hong Kong’s competitiveness and attractiveness as an international financial centre will be further strengthened.”
“The SFC will lay the foundation for broadening and deepening Hong Kong’s RMB ecosystem, continue to enhance the mutual market access mechanisms, promote market innovation, and further strengthen the international competitiveness of Hong Kong’s capital markets by improving market efficiency and liquidity.” Dr Wong added.
Ms Julia Leung, Chief Executive Officer of the SFC, said: “As Hong Kong’s capital market embarks on a new stage of development, the SFC will strengthen communication and cooperation with industry stakeholders to ensure that market participants fully understand the regulatory requirements and development direction. We will also deepen cooperation with regulatory authorities in the Mainland and overseas to jointly promote cross-border market connectivity and financial innovation.”
“While promoting market development, we will continue to uphold our core mission of safeguarding market quality and maintaining its integrity, as well as protecting investors. Financial security is an important foundation for the sustainable development of the market. The SFC will therefore make use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance its risk monitoring, supervision and enforcement capabilities, in supporting the sound development of Hong Kong’s financial markets.” Ms Leung added.
The SFC believes that with the strong support of the Central Government, the proactive leadership of the HKSAR Government and the joint participation of the industry, Hong Kong will further enhance its important functions as an international financial centre, a global offshore RMB business hub, an international asset and wealth management centre, and an international risk management centre, thereby making greater contributions to our Nations's high-level opening-up and Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.
The SFC’s strategic action plan, remarks by Dr Kelvin Wong and Ms Julia Leung at the news briefing are attached.
