Hong Kong Mission: Hong Kong’s unique competitiveness has once again been recognized internationally as the “three consecutive winners” in the selection of the world’s freest economy

China News Service, Hong Kong, October 11. Title: Hong Kong's unique competitiveness has once again been recognized internationally as the "three consecutive winners" in the selection of the world's freest economy.

China News Service reporter Xiang Luping

Recently, the Fraser Institute, a Canadian think tank, released the "2026 Annual Report on World Economic Freedom", and Hong Kong continued to be rated as the freest economy in the world. This is the third consecutive year that Hong Kong has been rated as the freest economy in the world, confirming that Hong Kong maintains its free port status, implements zero tariffs and a simple low tax system with continuity and stability, and its unique competitiveness under "one country, two systems" has once again been recognized by the international community.

Hong Kong’s attractiveness highlights amid global economic uncertainty

Among the five core evaluation dimensions of "economic freedom", Hong Kong ranks first in the world with a score of 9.66 in "freedom of international trade" and eighth in "monetary policy and market stability" with a score of 9.5. Against the background of rising trade protectionism, many economies have tightened their cross-border trade policies. However, Hong Kong maintains an open, efficient and fair business environment, which is attractive to investors and entrepreneurs at home and abroad.

In 2025, Hong Kong will have more than 11,000 parent companies stationed in Hong Kong overseas and in mainland China, a year-on-year increase of 11%, a record high; the Office of Key Enterprise Introduction established by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2022 has so far introduced more than 120 There are several key enterprises, including global industry leaders with a market capitalization or valuation of over 100 billion Hong Kong dollars and mastering cutting-edge technologies. In the first eight months of 2026, Invest Hong Kong also assisted approximately 520 mainland and overseas companies to open or expand business in Hong Kong. The above data all reflect the recognition of investors at home and abroad for Hong Kong's business and investment environment.

Cooperation between openness and supervision creates a good business environment

Among the five core assessment dimensions, Hong Kong ranks second in the world in "supervision" with a score of 8.61. The index includes four areas: credit market regulation, labor market regulation, business regulation and freedom of competition, and measures regulatory measures that restrict market access and interfere with freedom of voluntary exchange.

In Hong Kong, the company registration and change process is standardized and transparent, with less pre-approval, reducing administrative intervention in business operations, and there is no value-added tax, business tax and capital gains tax, and compliance costs are low; Hong Kong's financial market is open, regulatory agencies focus on systemic risk prevention and control, do not interfere with business decisions, and funds can flow freely across borders; the Hong Kong Competition Commission independently enforces the law and implements the Competition Ordinance, treating all operators equally. The cooperation between openness and supervision has formed a good business environment in Hong Kong.

Consolidate advantages and expand greater development space

The report also provides a reference for Hong Kong to improve its governance capabilities in aspects such as "legal and property rights protection". On the basis of maintaining its advantages, Hong Kong will continue to improve supporting mechanisms such as property rights protection and public governance, deepen the construction of an international legal and dispute resolution service center and a regional intellectual property trade center, accelerate the development of innovation and technology, improve people's livelihood, and allow more enterprises and talents to take root in Hong Kong. This will consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial and trade center in the long term.

Hong Kong's first five-year plan was announced in September this year, proactively aligning with the country's "15th Five-Year Plan", clearly adhering to a free and open economic system, ensuring the free flow of funds, goods, people, and information, and accelerating the construction of the northern metropolitan area. As the blueprint is gradually implemented, Hong Kong will bring more development opportunities to enterprises, investors and talents at home and abroad. (over)