Hong Kong’s foreign and mainland Chinese companies soared by 11 per cent to a record 11,070 last year, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu revealed on Monday.
Speaking at the 19th Asian Financial Forum, Lee hailed the city’s “unprecedented achievements” in attracting “quality businesses” while unveiling a landmark pact with Shanghai to turn Hong Kong into a gold trading hub, which analysts and traders hailed as a game-changer.
Lee cited the government’s latest annual survey showing foreign and mainland-affiliated firms with overseas parents reached 11,070 in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 11 per cent.
“The encouraging results represent more than a vote of confidence in Hong Kong by these businesses and entrepreneurs,” the city leader said at the forum’s opening.
“They also mean our solid efforts in facilitating business establishment and operation, and in creating an enabling ecosystem for start-ups, are bearing fruit.”
The number of foreign firms from Singapore, France, Australia, the United States and Switzerland in Hong Kong rose by more than 11 per cent, while those from Asean nations and the Middle East rose by about 10 and 5 per cent.
The number of mainland companies, meanwhile, jumped by 17 per cent, with enterprises from around the world now employing nearly 510,000 people in the city, up by 3 per cent from two years ago.