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Yesterday, I concluded a five-day visit to Europe, covering France, Belgium and Switzerland. During the trip, I held in-depth exchanges at multiple levels with leaders from the political, business and financial sectors. My strongest impression from this visit was Europe's clear and growing desire for change. This is evident on several fronts. Politically, unilateralism and intensifying competition among major powers have reinforced Europe's awareness of the need to secure greater strategic autonomy. In economic and trade relations, Europe is seeking stronger multilateral cooperation and better risk diversification to build stronger economic resilience. In industrial investment, particularly in cutting-edge innovation and technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), there is a clear recognition that discussion must be turned into action, and that Europe needs to pool its strengths and catch up as quickly as possible.

Late tonight, I will depart for Paris, Brussels and Zurich. My first stop will be Paris, where I will attend the “No Money for Terror” Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing. Thereafter, I will join representatives from more than 80 countries and regions to discuss ways to enhance co-operation, demonstrating Hong Kong’s commitment in this area as an international financial centre. I will also meet representatives of leading European financial institutions, private equity and venture capital funds, as well as family office principals in these cities, with a view to deepening partnerships and attracting investment.

Across the world’s major bay-area economic clusters, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is unique in combining three distinctive strengths: cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) research and development, a comprehensive high-end manufacturing ecosystem, and an international financial centre. This powerful combination of “AI + manufacturing + finance” places Hong Kong in an ideal position during the 15th Five-Year Plan period to assume a strategic role and perform two key functions: industrial synergy and regulatory alignment. In particular, Hong Kong can serve as an international gateway for emerging industries seeking to establish a presence in the GBA, as well as a platform for exchange and conversion through which domestic and international standards can be aligned and mutually referenced.