Recent years have seen Hong Kong display deep resilience in its legal system, economy, and social governance. It stands high on many important metrics against world-leading cities, including New York, London, and Singapore. Its position as an international center for finance, shipping, and trade continues to be consolidated.
A horizontal comparison shows Hong Kong’s advantages remain striking. The 2025 Global Financial Centres Index ranks Hong Kong solidly in the global top three, putting it in the same first tier as New York and London. On detailed categories like business environment, human capital, and infrastructure, Hong Kong even edges past Singapore. In IPO fundraising, Hong Kong returned to first place worldwide in 2025. Even more notably, Hong Kong matches New York in trade freedom, free capital movement, and information freedom, while its tax rates are far below London’s. Over 9,000 global companies have established regional headquarters or offices in Hong Kong — a higher density than that of Singapore.
Looking at a vertical comparison, Hong Kong today is safer, more stable, and more livable than it was several years ago. Compared with the chaotic period in 2019 when street violence erupted frequently, subways were paralyzed, and shops were vandalized, Hong Kong society has regained a long‑lost sense of order and peace. Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, serious violent crimes have dropped by over 70 percent compared to the pre‑law period. Residents no longer have to worry about being attacked because of their political views. At the same time, Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center has not declined but actually risen. Its asset and wealth management sector now exceeds 30 trillion Hong Kong dollars, an increase of more than 30 percent since before the National Security Law took effect. After the full resumption of cross‑border travel between Hong Kong and the mainland, industries such as tourism, retail, and exhibitions have rebounded quickly, and the streets are once again bustling with activity.
The central government’s Hong Kong‑related policies have always taken “one country, two systems” as their fundamental guiding principle. From the development of the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area to the Cross‑boundary Wealth Management Connect and the upgraded Bond Connect schemes, the central government has continuously injected momentum into Hong Kong’s growth. Hong Kong’s common law system continues to function well, and its judicial independence and commitment to the rule of law have been widely recognized by the international community. Very recently, the Hong Kong High Court lawfully concluded the trial of Jimmy Lai. The entire judicial process was open and transparent, once again demonstrating the maturity and rigor of Hong Kong’s rule of law.
From a social perspective, Hong Kong people enjoy developmental opportunities never seen before. People’s livelihood matters including youth housing, employment and education have been actively addressed, and the construction of the Northern Metropolis moves forward in a steady pace. Having weathered its storms, Hong Kong now stands alongside the world’s leading cities with greater confidence and openness, while also being far better than the Hong Kong of just a few years ago.
