HONG KONG CONNECT


	Hong Kong rises to world's fifth-largest trading entity in merchandise trade According to the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s “Global Trade Outlook and Statistics”, Hong Kong ranked as the world’s fifth-largest trading entity in merchandise trade in 2025, rising two places from 2024. Total merchandise trade grew by 17.5% year-on-year to US$1,585 billion, accounting for around 3% of global trade. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said the WTO report fully demonstrated Hong Kong’s resilience amid geopolitical challenges and trade protectionism, with the city achieving strong growth in external trade. He reaffirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to free trade and a rule-based system, along with its advantages under “one country, two systems,” making it the most important and agile gateway for business and trade in the region. Mr Yau also noted that the 15^th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in better integrating into and serving the overall national development to further consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international trade centre, leveraging its unique advantages of being backed by the Chinese Mainland and connected to the world. More details here.

	OASES welcomes new batch of 22 strategic enterprises The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) held a signing ceremony on 20 April to welcome its latest batch of 22 strategic enterprises establishing or expanding their operations in Hong Kong. Many of these companies have market valuation exceeding HK$100 billion. The latest cohort includes leading global pharmaceutical companies, and industry leaders across cutting-edge sectors such as microprocessor manufacturing, artificial general intelligence, smart mobility technology, eVTOL innovation, low-altitude economy infrastructure, digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure, and game development. OASES will continue to proactively attract high-potential and representative strategic enterprises and collaborate with government departments to support their development, further reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a global innovation hub. More details here. See the Financial Secretary’s speech here.

	2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit The 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit was held in Hong Kong from 13 to 14 April. Hosted by the World Internet Conference and co-organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), the two-day Summit brought together around 1,000 leaders and experts from over 50 countries and regions to advance digital and intelligent innovation. Senior officials and global industry leaders spoke at the opening and thematic forums, highlighting Hong Kong’s advantages in the digital economy and innovation. The programme featured government-enterprise dialogue, a new gala recognising tech leaders, a ministerial meeting on AI-driven growth, and discussions on emerging technologies. The Summit also included a series of sub-forums coving areas such as AI, digital finance and health tech, alongside exhibitions and events including the Business of Innovation and Technology Week, further boosting Hong Kong’s development as a global innovation centre. More details here. See the Chief Executive’s speech here. See the Financial Secretary’s speech here.

	InnoEX 2026 The fourth edition of InnoEX, jointly organised by the ITIB and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, was held on 13-16 April. The event highlighted Hong Kong’s achievements in innovation and technology (I&T) and smart city development, driven by the concerted efforts of the HKSAR Government and industry. A key feature of the exhibition was the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, set up by the Digital Policy Office, showcasing over 100 technology solutions that benefit both the public and businesses through interactive experiences and live demonstrations. Under the theme “AI+ Hong Kong”, the Pavilion also featured AI applications across different sectors, contributions from over 20 government departments and public organisations, and award-winning projects from local competitions such as the Hong Kong ICT Awards and Open Data Hackathon. The exhibition promoted Hong Kong’s I&T achievements, encouraged innovation across industries, and showcased local talent to worldwide visitors. More details here.

	Hong Kong Sevens celebrates 50^th anniversary in style The Hong Kong Sevens marked its Golden Jubilee from 17 to 19 April at the new Kai Tak Stadium, welcoming over 113,000 fans from Hong Kong and around the world. From its beginnings with 3,000 spectators in 1976 to more than 40,000 daily attendees today, the tournament has grown into Asia’s premier sporting weekend and a global bucket-list event. Featuring 72 matches and 30 top teams, the event delivered world-class rugby alongside vibrant entertainment and fan experiences. South Africa claimed the men’s title, while New Zealand secured their fourth consecutive women’s crown. The Hong Kong, China men’s team also made history by winning the Melrose Claymores for the third year in a row. The milestone event once again highlighted Hong Kong’s standing as a leading international hub for major sporting events. More details here.



	HKETO Sydney supports GBA RMB Internationalisation Forum in Brisbane HKETO Sydney supported the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Renminbi (RMB) Internationalisation Forum hosted by the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) Queensland, bringing together leaders from government, finance and industry to exchange views on opportunities in Hong Kong and the GBA. Speaking at the Forum, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, highlighted Hong Kong’s role as the world’s leading offshore RMB business hub, offering deep liquidity, efficient clearing and a full range of RMB financial services within a trusted, international business environment. He noted that Hong Kong provides a practical and reliable platform for businesses, including those in Australia, to conduct RMB trade, manage currency risks and access financing when engaging with the Chinese Mainland. He also underscored Hong Kong’s unique position as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” within the GBA, linking global capital with Mainland opportunities. As RMB internationalisation continues to advance, he encouraged Australian enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s platform to tap into the region’s dynamic growth and expanding financial connectivity. The Head of Business and Talent Attraction of Invest Hong Kong, Mr Max Lau, provided a detailed presentation on the advantages of Hong Kong as the largest offshore RMB centre in the world. He also updated the participants on the initiatives put forward by the regulators and the market that could facilitate and enhance RMB trading in Hong Kong. Participants raised a lot of quality questions during the panel discussion session, including how Hong Kong serves as gateway to the GBA and Mainland market, the RMB vs USD settlement in Australia, regulatory and compliance considerations, and RMB importance for Australian Exporters.

	HKETO Sydney at AusChamps 2026 HKETO Sydney supported the 2026 Australian Dragon Boat Championships, held in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland from 18 to 23 April and organised by the Australian Dragon Boat Federation. The event brought together over 2,500 paddlers from across Australia, from juniors to masters, for a week of vibrant competition on the water. As part of HKETO Sydney’s support, two 1,000-metre races were named the “HKETO Premier Open Standard” and the “HKETO Premier Open Small Boat”, with the Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, presenting medals to the winning teams. Speaking at the Welcome Function, Mr Chong highlighted that dragon boating, deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s heritage, has evolved into a global sport that fosters teamwork, resilience and community spirit. He added that HKETO Sydney will continue to support cultural and sporting exchanges, strengthening ties between Hong Kong and Australia while showcasing Hong Kong as a hub for major international sporting events.


	*Global Mediation Summit 2026 (Hong Kong)* The Global Mediation Summit will take place on 8 May at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together senior government officials, experienced mediators, legal academics, corporate leaders, and representatives from international organisations worldwide to engage in in-depth discussions on key issues in international mediation practice. Held in a hybrid format, the Summit will feature keynote speeches, high-level panels and cross-sector dialogues on topics including investor–state disputes resolution, the practical value of mediation for governments and investors, and the long-term development of a global mediation ecosystem. More details here.

	*Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong 2026 (Hong Kong)* The Affordable Art Fair will return to Hong Kong from 14 to 17 May, featuring a diverse showcase of local and international works from 106 leading galleries at accessible prices. Participating galleries from across Asia-Pacific and beyond, many of which are part of the Affordable Art Fairs network, will present a wide range of contemporary artworks. Highlights include Artists in Action, Young Talent Hong Kong and a hands-on printmaking workshop, each pushing creative boundaries through innovative installations and interactive experiences. More details here.

	*Cheung Chau Bun Festival (Hong Kong)* Celebrate one of Hong Kong’s most vibrant and unique traditions at the Cheung Chau Bun Festival this May. Held on Cheung Chau, the festival comes alive with towering bun displays, colourful papier-mâché effigies, lively lion dances and centuries-old rituals rooted in local folklore. Recognised on the national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival offers a lively programme of events, with the much-anticipated Bun Scrambling Competition as its centrepiece, a thrilling spectacle that draws both locals and visitors each year. More details here.

	*Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 (Hong Kong)* Hong Kong will host Comic Con for the first time from 29 to 31 May, bringing the world’s premier pop culture convention to the city. The event will showcase blockbuster studios, major entertainment IPs and appearances by global stars, offering fans an exciting, immersive experience. Covering a wide spectrum of entertainment, from Hollywood, Western and Asian cinema to gaming, collectibles and beyond, the convention will feature high-profile panels, fan events and blockbuster press conferences. More details here.

Updates on Latest Situation in Hong Kong