This photo taken on Feb 1, 2025 shows a city view of Hong Kong. (Photo: Xinhua)
Under the institutional guarantee of "One Country, Two Systems," coupled with a secure environment for high-quality development, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is headed to an even brighter future, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.
The Hong Kong SAR has climbed two spots to rank third in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025 published by the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development, marking the city's return to the top three for the first time since 2019.
In response at a regular press briefing, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said it affirms Hong Kong's unique position and strength, as well as the prospects of "One Country, Two Systems."
The Hong Kong SAR has entered a stage where it is set to thrive, he said, highlighting that it is becoming more attractive as an international financial center and is drawing more foreign companies and individuals to make investments and start new businesses.
"Hong Kong remains one of the world's freest economies and most competitive regions," he said.
Data shows that the Hong Kong Stock Exchange ranked first in the world with a fundraising scale of $14 billion in the first half of this year, Guo said, noting that the number of overseas visitors received by Hong Kong in the first five months of this year rose by 18 percent year on year, and a number of major international companies have redomiciled to the region.
"Those are votes of confidence for Hong Kong from the international community," he said.
