Lean harder into Hong Kong-mainland China market ties, ‘two sessions’ delegates urge

Hong Kong can reinforce its role as an international financial centre by deepening integration with mainland capital markets and expanding cross-border investment channels, financial industry leaders said on Thursday during China’s annual “two sessions”.Stronger collaboration between Hong Kong and mainland exchanges would enhance the resilience of the mainland’s financial system while supporting the internationalisation of the yuan, said Tan Yueheng, permanent honorary president of the Chinese Securities Association of Hong Kong.Hong Kong’s strong market performance last year underscored growing connectivity between mainland and Hong Kong markets, said Tan, who made remarks in a sideline interview during the annual meetings of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing. Tan is a member of the CPPCC and former chairman of Bocom International.On Thursday morning, Premier Li Qiang said in the latest government work report that capital markets had stabilised and rallied amid a mix of policies in 2025. China would continue to deepen the reform of investment and financing in capital markets this year, he added.Hong Kong’s capital markets had one of their strongest years in recent times in 2025, with robust secondary-market trading and a resurgence in initial public offerings (IPOs), Tan said. The city’s exchange claimed the top global ranking for IPO fundraising last year, with 119 listings raising a total of HK$285.8 billion (US$37 billion), helped by listings from mainland technology and innovation companies.As of the end of February, the exchange had a robust IPO pipeline with 488 active listing applications.