Sharpening the city’s edge

This is the third in a series of Factsheets on Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and 2026 policy address. Part I – Hong Kong’s new chapter Part II – The story begins... Part III – Sharpening the city’s edge Part IV – Tapping into tech and talent The series has been produced with support from the Hong Kong SAR government. To see the South China Morning Post’s coverage of the five-year plan, click here. This Factsheet will appear in the SCMP print edition on October 20. You can find it at... [Image text:] SHARPENING THE CITY'S EDGE Hong Kong's first five-year plan aims to double down on the city's core advantages.Under a four centres, one hub" strategy,the government is seeking to strengthen the city's standing as an international financial, maritime and aviation, trade, and innovation and technology centre, as well as a talent hub. Here is a look at the city's position in the finance, aviation, maritime and trade sectors. International financial centre The aim is to broaden capital markets,expand offshore yuan and cross-boundary wealth management business,and gold plus other metals trading. CAPITALMAPKETS International trade centre Despite geopolitical uncertainties and tariff wars, Hong Kong has maintained its commitment to free trade, consolidating its ties with traditional Western markets while exploring emerging markets such as Central Asia and Africa. Main trade partners 1.Exports to mainland China HK$2,927.4bn 2.USA 325 3.Taiwan 223.8 4.Vietnam 213.5 5.India 92.4 HONG KONG EXPORTS IMPORTS Top commodities divisions First eight months of2026 1.Electrical 1.Electrical machinery machinery 2.Office and 2.Telecomm.and data machines sound recording 3.Office and 3.Telecomm.and sound recording data machines 4.Jewellery 4.Jewellery and others and others 5.Power 5.Non-ferrous machinery metals Main trade partners 1.Imports from mainland China HK$2,247 bn 2.Taiwan 507.9 3.Korea 376.4 4.Singapore 365.4 5.Vietnam333.5 Maritime centre and aviation hub Hong Kong aims to consolidate its status as an international maritime centre and aviation hub through goals such as driving a'volume-to-value' transformation of the city's ports, expanding its Flight movements 394,730