Hong Kong in Southeast Asia

Hong Kong is positioning itself as a vital hub for artificial intelligence (AI) development, with Finance Chief Paul Chan highlighting the city's strategic advantages for mainland Chinese companies looking to expand into Southeast Asia. The upcoming AI Supercomputing Centre aims to enhance Hong Kong's capabilities in AI and big data, further boosting its appeal as a fintech launchpad. Additionally, Hong Kong has been ranked the eighth friendliest city in the world for 2024, reflecting its warm hospitality and status as a tourism hotspot. In economic development, Chief Executive John Lee announced the signing of an agreement to enhance services under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) with mainland China, which introduces new liberalization measures. Furthermore, the World Bank's Business Ready 2024 Report recognized Hong Kong as one of the top ten economies for business, particularly excelling in international trade and utility services. The former vice-minister Fu Ying also suggested that Hong Kong can serve as a role model for women's rights, emphasizing the need for greater contributions to global peace.