Hong Kong is the best anchor for Chinese firms seeking global waters

Last year, China’s outward direct investment climbed 7 per cent to US$174 billion while overseas mergers and acquisitions rebounded to over US$43 billion, up nearly 40 per cent, according to EY data. Clearly, China’s appetite for global deal-making has returned.But the approach has changed. A decade ago, outbound investment was largely asset-driven, shaped by relatively light regulatory constraints and limited oversight. The prevailing mindset was simple: enter the market at all costs and fix problems later.Success today hinges on building a globally competitive brand, one that requires a strong bridge between Chinese companies and international markets. In this new phase of global expansion, Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area are emerging as that critical connector.