Hong Kong can act as ‘super converter’ for mainland China, Paul Chan says

Financial secretary says Hong Kong can use ‘brand name’ to vouch for mainland products and help them sell internationally Financial Secretary Paul Chan (centre) at LEAP East 2026 earlier this month. Photo: Handout Hong Kong can take on a new role as a “super converter” for technical standards, legal norms and innovations exchanged between mainland China and the wider world, the city’s finance chief has said. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stressed that Hong Kong’s reputation for quality had established the city as a “brand name” that was trusted by the international community. Citing the Middle East as an example, he said: “In general they will automatically give the go-ahead to those products that have been accredited by Hong Kong.” “It is the brand name effect,” Chan added. “For example, some mainland products that can pass tests in Hong Kong and get certified as up to our standards are in general recognised by other markets.” Appearing in the first episode of RTHK’s On Broadcast Drive TV programme, which aired on Friday, the finance chief said: “In this sense, Hong Kong can play the role of a super converter, on top of being a ‘superconnector’ and ‘super value-adder’.” He also said Chinese standards were gaining more acceptance globally, citing steel as an example. “There are ultra-high-strength steel products that are among the most advanced in the world. We can help promote national standards to reach other overseas regions,” Chan said. “This approach is supported by the mainland too. It can help high-quality mainland products be better known in the global market and that its innovation and technology can also become more visible and recognised in the world through us.” Chan appeared on the first episode of a show hosted by businessman Jeffrey Lam (pictured). Photo: Jonathan Wong In the interview with programme host Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, he spoke about his plan to lead a delegation to visit the Middle East again later this year to deepen economic ties and explore concrete projects. Chan said he believed the Gulf states’ general direction to diversify their economies and seek more investment overseas would remain unchanged despite the ongoing conflicts in the region. Hong Kong would put more effort into building trust with Middle East partners, added Chan, who led business delegations to visit the region in 2025, 2024 and 2022. “There is a proverb: a friend in need is a friend indeed,” he said. “Now that they are facing challenges. If we can continue maintaining good ties and cooperation with them, or supporting their projects, in the long run, we can win more of their trust.” Unhandled type: inline-plus-widget {"type":"inline-plus-widget"} The finance chief said that, aside from the oil industry, the Middle East offered numerous opportunities for Hong Kong’s construction, surveying, accounting and legal sectors as well as start-ups. The launch of businessman and Executive Council member Lam’s show on RTHK TV32 channel is part of the public broadcaster’s drive to help promote government policies and present the “true picture of Hong Kong to the world”.