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Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po returned from a five-day trip to Europe on Sunday, having sought to attract capital and strengthen ties with the region amid what officials describe as an improving geopolitical environment. The visit, which began in Paris on Monday and continued to Brussels and Switzerland, focused on promoting Hong Kong as an international financial hub and explaining the city's efforts to combat terrorism financing, according to reports in the South China Morning Post.

Coverage Comparison

The South China Morning Post, the sole outlet covering the trip across multiple reports, framed the journey in varying ways: one story highlighted French investors' renewed interest in Hong Kong, another emphasized Chan's call for deeper cooperation with Europe, while others focused on the broader goal of attracting global capital. All reports agreed on the trip's itinerary and purpose, but differing angles reflect the complexities of Hong Kong's international positioning.

Key Claims

  • Chan arrived in Paris on Monday, where he met representatives of the Association Francaise de la Gestion Financiere (AFG) and the Paris-based think tank Asia Centre, as well as China's ambassador to France, Deng Li, according to sources cited by the South China Morning Post.
  • Speaking on the sidelines of a Paris ministerial conference on terrorism financing, Chan said French investors were "warming to Hong Kong again," citing a "marked difference" in perceptions compared to his last visit two years ago. He attributed the shift to strong market performance and an improved geopolitical situation following President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing.
  • Hong Kong's stock market rose 28 per cent in 2025, and the IMF and two major credit rating agencies gave positive assessments of the city's economic and fiscal policies, according to Chan's office, as reported by the Post.
  • In his weekly blog, Chan wrote that European political and business leaders were increasingly seeking "strategic autonomy, diversified partnerships and stronger economic resilience" in response to geopolitical tensions and rising unilateralism. He noted "pragmatic opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation" between Hong Kong and Europe in trade, investment, and innovation.
  • Chan highlighted European financial institutions' interest in Hong Kong, quoting representatives as saying their asset allocations were "overly weighted towards US dollar assets, creating a problem of excessive risk concentration."
  • The finance chief said Hong Kong could help by offering diversified investment opportunities, a mature capital market, and access to mainland China's technology and advanced manufacturing sectors.
  • Chan's trip also aimed to explain Hong Kong's efforts against terrorism financing, noting that the Financial Action Task Force had listed the city as the first Asia-Pacific jurisdiction to achieve compliance.

Perspectives

Hong Kong government perspective

Chan's remarks, as reported by the Post, portrayed Hong Kong as a resilient and vibrant financial center whose attractions are increasingly recognized by international investors. He emphasized the city's unique advantages as a gateway to mainland China and its ability to offer diverse investment opportunities in a world seeking to reduce risk concentration.

International investor perspective

The trip's coverage suggests that European financial institutions, particularly in France, are showing renewed interest in Hong Kong's market, driven by strong performance and improved geopolitical stability. Chan's interactions with French asset managers appeared to underscore this warming sentiment.

Geopolitical context

The easing of tensions following President Trump's visit to China and the upcoming state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing were cited as factors creating a more favorable environment for Hong Kong's external engagement. This broader narrative framed Chan's trip as part of Hong Kong's efforts to strengthen ties amid shifting global alliances.

European strategic autonomy

Chan's blog emphasized that European leaders are seeking strategic autonomy and diversified partnerships, a trend he sees as creating opportunities for cooperation with Hong Kong. This perspective suggests that Hong Kong can position itself as a neutral and beneficial partner in a multipolar world, though it remains to be seen how European policymakers will respond in practice.