Hong Kong maintained its third-place ranking globally and continued to lead the Asia-Pacific region in the Global Financial Centres Index 40 Report, published today by UK-based Z/Yen and the China Development Institute.

The city maintained its world-leading position in fintech offerings. In an assessment by financial industry professionals, Hong Kong's investment management sector surged to first place worldwide, alongside top spots in insurance and finance.

Hong Kong also captured the top global spot for financial sector development – one of the five areas of competitiveness – while its business environment and infrastructure rankings both climbed to second place.

The Government said that the report strongly reaffirms Hong Kong’s leading position and strengths as an international financial centre.

It added that Hong Kong’s repeated top ranking in fintech offerings fully demonstrates that the Government’s development strategies in promoting fintech and digital assets have been highly effective.

The Government noted that Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, announced by Chief Executive John Lee today, sets out a forward-looking, strategic and directional guiding blueprint for the city’s economic and social development from 2026 to 2030.

On finance, the Government will adhere to the principle of seeking growth through stability and in turn reinforcing stability through growth to expand Hong Kong’s existing financial advantages in financing, risk management and asset management.

Meanwhile, the Government will also take forward “Finance+” to amplify the advantages and radiating capability of finance, thereby empowering the development of various sectors, serving the real economy, benefiting society, and further consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre.

The Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address also formulates various financial policy measures to pragmatically implement the blueprint set out in the Plan, promoting Hong Kong’s financial development on all fronts.

The Government also highlighted Hong Kong’s strength as a world-leading cross-boundary wealth management centre - assets under management in 2025 jumped 20% year-on-year to a record high of $42.2 trillion, and net fund inflows coming into Hong Kong almost tripled year-on-year to $2.1 trillion.

It introduced a bill into the Legislative Council in June this year to further enhance the competitiveness of the preferential tax regimes for the asset and wealth management industry, with a view to attracting more funds and family offices to establish a presence in Hong Kong, and managing more global capital in the city.