Both local and foreign companies have showed strong confidence in Hong Kong, said John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), citing a series of recent data.

Lee told reporters Monday that foreign investments are solid and visible manifestation of international confidence in Hong Kong, as the city ranked No.1 globally in its investment environment last year. As for enterprise conditions, Hong Kong topped the Asia-Pacific region and ranked No.2 globally.

He also cited a report by a third-party organization that Hong Kong's size of foreign direct investment inflows was the world's fourth-largest in 2022. By the end of last year, total deposits in Hong Kong exceeded 16 trillion Hong Kong dollars (2.04 trillion U.S. dollars), up 5.1 percent year on year.

Last year, the number of start-ups in Hong Kong increased by 270 to a record high of nearly 4,300, Lee said.

The number of overseas and mainland companies establishing or expanding their business in Hong Kong through Invest Hong Kong increased some 27 percent over the previous year, he said.

Among them, Hong Kong welcomed a 40-percent increase in the number of companies from Britain, according to Lee. Those from Singapore rose 35 percent, while companies from the United States climbed by more than 10 percent. And the investment these companies are making in their first year of operation exceeded 61.6 billion Hong Kong dollars, nearly three times the previous year's total.

"These numbers speak, loudly and convincingly, about the confidence local and foreign enterprises have in Hong Kong -- in our economy and our future," Lee said.

Hong Kong enjoys solid institutional foundation and the unique advantage of "one country, two systems," Lee noted, adding that Hong Kong leads global rankings in finance, trade and commerce, as well as in shipping and other professional services.

He added that the city is the only common law jurisdiction in China, and its courts exercise independent judicial power, including the power of final adjudication. As many of the world's major commercial and financial centers also practise common law, this commonality enables the city's legal connectivity with the world, creating more certainty and understanding for all. In turn, it allows Hong Kong to play a bridging role -- a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world.

"Hong Kong will continue to serve as an international financial center and global city. We will continue to leverage Hong Kong's 'one country, two systems' framework, enjoying the unwavering support of the motherland, while being closely connected to the world at large," Lee said. 

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