Chief Executive John Lee today welcomed over 400 senior representatives from Mainland and foreign companies at an Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) reception, thanking them for their lasting confidence in Hong Kong’s business environment.

He also called upon them to continue using the city’s global advantages to expand their business worldwide.

Addressing the reception, Mr Lee said under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantage of enjoying the country's strong support and being closely connected to the world.

He pointed out that the city is one of the most liberal and easiest places to do business in the world, noting that in the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, Hong Kong’s ranking jumped two places to fifth globally, and topped the world in international trade and business legislation.

Mr Lee said Hong Kong plays important roles as a “super-connector” and a “super value-adder” between the Mainland and the rest of the world, serving as a two-way springboard for attracting overseas enterprises and for Mainland enterprises to go global.

Hong Kong warmly welcomes enterprises, talent and investment to seize the unlimited opportunities offered by this vibrant international city, he added.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau also attended the reception and joined Mr Lee to offer a toast to the guests.

The guests at the reception included company representatives from various sectors around the world who had been assisted by InvestHK and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises over the past year in setting up or expanding their business in Hong Kong.