Chief Executive John Lee today met Nobel Memorial Prize laureates in Economic Sciences in 2001, Joseph E Stiglitz and Michael Spence, to discuss topics such as the economy, innovation and technology (I&T), and education.

Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip, and Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Stephen Wong also attended the meeting.

Mr Lee welcomed the two Nobel laureates to Hong Kong to attend the Economic Transformations in a Multipolar World International Forum 2025 held at the Central Government Offices today, where the scholars shared their insights on the economic development of the world, the country and Hong Kong.

Delivering welcoming remarks at the forum, Mr Lee said under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys both national and global opportunities, adding that Hong Kong remains committed to building bridges for a world of mutual opportunity amid economic uncertainty.

“We hold fast to the belief that free trade is the answer to boosting global output,“ the Chief Executive said, adding, “Hong Kong, after all, is China’s most internationalised city. We offer the world a market-friendly business environment, replete with business and investment advantages unmatched by any other city anywhere in the world. We are working now, proactively, to align ourselves with the 15th Five-Year Plan, fulfil Hong Kong’s responsibilities and seize the plentiful opportunities there for us.”

Mr Lee also met the two laureates at the Chief Executive’s Office.

Mr Spence, a member of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers on Innovation & Entrepreneurship, expressed cautious optimism about Hong Kong’s development under the current administration.

He noted that Hong Kong has successfully navigated its most challenging period, including external doubts surrounding the National Security Law.

“One, you had a major batch of global CEOs in finance here. So they clearly not abandoned you. So that part, which is a historical strength of the city, seems to be pretty firmly in place. And I think the economy is diversifying. A Greater Bay Area.”

Mr Stiglitz was also upbeat about Hong Kong’s outlook.

“A place where there is a common law, rule of law, English as a language. That is important if you are as a bridge between China and the rest of the world. I think having a flexible, agile bridge is going to be more important in a world which is more volatile.”

The Nobel laureates also highlighted the immense potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

“Most of the discussion of AI that I hear rapidly goes to jobs and tasks and stuff. One of the really striking things is the use of AI to manage very complex systems, like smart grids, like complex supply chains.

“Because Hong Kong is not only a financial centre but it is a kind of gigantic marketplace, it probably got applications here,” said Mr Spence.

Mr Lee said he was pleased that the two scholars are optimistic about Hong Kong’s development prospects, recognise its notable strengths in education and I&T, and support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s various strategic plans of diversifying investments, exploring emerging markets, and further deepening collaborative developments in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to seize opportunities.

The Chief Executive noted that Hong Kong enjoys the dual advantage of having national and global opportunities under the “one country, two systems” principle and will continue to play the roles of a super connector and super value-adder, connecting the Mainland with the world, fully integrating into the overall national development and actively dovetailing with GBA developments.

He pointed out that as one of the bay area’s core cities, Hong Kong plays a vital role in driving regional development. The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to collaborate with GBA cities in strengthening connectivity and enhancing the flow of people, goods, data and capital, with a view to further encouraging and supporting enterprises and talent to grasp development opportunities in the GBA.

Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong is the world’s freest economy, which attracts global capital and top talent, and has maintained its position of third globally and first in Asia Pacific as an international financial centre, according to the newly published Global Financial Centres Index.

Hong Kong is the only city worldwide that hosts five universities ranked among the world’s top 100, and its ranking leapt to fourth globally in the newly published World Talent Ranking 2025, marking its highest-ever ranking.

The Hong Kong SAR Government is actively accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town and promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to further develop the city into an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talent, Mr Lee said.

Noting that the world is undergoing unprecedented changes at an accelerating pace and facing global economic uncertainties, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR Government is continuously seeking new growth opportunities.

Among these, the Northern Metropolis being developed at full steam serves as a new engine for Hong Kong’s economic growth, boasting significant development potential and economic value. It is expected to create more jobs and enhance productivity for Hong Kong.

At the same time, Mr Lee iterated, the Hong Kong SAR Government is vigorously promoting I&T, artificial intelligence, and related industries, while advancing the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and fostering the integrated development of education, technology, and talent to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre with a view to contributing to the country’s high-quality development.

The above-mentioned forum was held by the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, the National Academy of Economic Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Chinese Institute of Hong Kong.

The forum brought together more than 20 experts, academics, business leaders and government officials from overseas, the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong to deliver presentations.

The speakers Integrated the latest dynamics and trends of global transformations, examined the impacts and challenges faced by the global economy, and focused on key topics such as the nation’s economic development strategy during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, sustainable development models for regional economic co-operation in the world, and how Hong Kong can enhance its international competitiveness and contribute to future global economic development in the evolving landscape.

Mr Lee and member of the Leading Party Members’ Group and Secretary-General, Chinese Academy of Social Science Zhao Zhimin, delivered welcoming remarks at the forum.

There were three panel discussion sessions, focusing on global significance of China’s new development plan; the new development landscape of Hong Kong; and the integrated symbiosis of regional economies in the world.

Around 600 participants attended the forum, including experts, academics and personnel from overseas institutions in Hong Kong as well as representatives from think tanks, the business sector, professional bodies, and local and foreign chambers of commerce.