Hong Kong plays a unique role as the main bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world in the regional economic transformation process, Securities & Futures Commission Chairman Martin Wheatley says.

He gave the remarks while making a welcome address at the 3rd Annual Asia Pacific Bond Congress today. Mr Wheatley said Hong Kong has many strengths that make it an ideal fund raising centre for Mainland enterprises, but two in particular are key.

"First, given its institutional constraints, the Mainland's capital markets are still at a developing stage. In contrast, Hong Kong is already an established international financial centre with a business-friendly and investor-friendly environment.

"Our second key strength is that we are ideally positioned to act as a bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world. The combination of these qualities make us an ideal partner choice for both Mainland enterprises looking to raise funds outside the Mainland and international investors looking to tap into the growing Mainland economy."

Hong Kong is ideally positioned to act as a platform for the distribution of the Mainland's savings, including to different regions in Asia, he said.