Financial Secretary Paul Chan today attended the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing and spoke at a symposium at the forum titled “Global Green, Low-carbon Transition and Sustainable Development”.

Mr Chan attended the forum’s opening session and another symposium in the morning, before addressing the green symposium in the afternoon.

In his remarks, he said that while some countries have withdrawn from international co-operation frameworks, the momentum of the green transition continues to advance. He highlighted that investment in clean energy exceeded US$2.2 trillion in 2025, accounting for about two-thirds of energy investment globally, with China contributing about one-third of the total.

The finance chief emphasised that China is not only a participant in global climate governance, but also a steadfast practitioner and leader, and is making steady progress towards its “3060” dual carbon goals. The country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which sets out a number of binding targets, will embed green development deeply into industrial upgrading efforts and infrastructure development, accelerating a comprehensive green transition across economic and social development.

As a Special Administrative Region of the country, Mr Chan said Hong Kong is firmly advancing towards carbon neutrality. In 2024, the city's per capita carbon emissions fell to about 4.4 tonnes, roughly one-quarter of the figure in the US, and 60% of that of the European Union.

Looking ahead, the Financial Secretary said Hong Kong will continue to take forward decarbonisation work in four major directions: net-zero electricity generation; energy savings and green buildings; green transport; and waste reduction.

Mr Chan stressed that the Government is committed to contributing “Hong Kong’s strength” to the regional and global green transition by leveraging two core engines, namely green finance and green technology.

Firstly, he explained, Hong Kong will consolidate and enhance its role as a regional green finance hub. Secondly, it will proactively develop innovative financial instruments to channel greater funding into green projects. Thirdly, the city will continue to foster a vibrant green technology ecosystem and step up investment in frontier green technologies. It will also support the expansion into overseas markets of green technologies developed in the Mainland.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on Minister of Finance Lan Fo’an to conduct in-depth exchanges on the 15th Five-Year Plan, the national and global economic outlook, and fiscal policies. They also discussed strengthening co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

The meeting was also attended by Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui.

In the evening, Mr Chan attended the Beijing Night of the China Development Forum 2026.