Chief Executive John Lee delivered “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address” at the Legislative Council on September 17. Image source: info.gov.hk

On September 17, 2025, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivered the latest administration’s Policy Address at the Legislative Council. The report not only emphasized a balance between the economy and people’s livelihoods but also outlined a strategic blueprint for Hong Kong’s future in finance, innovation, industry, and globalization.

The Policy Address has sparked important questions among Chinese investors, high-net-worth individuals, and entrepreneurs worldwide. What does it mean for their portfolios and plans? To address our clients’ most pressing questions, Noah ARK will zoom in on five of the most critical factors to pay attention to. 

With over a decade of deep engagement in Hong Kong, Noah ARK has always adhered to a “client-centric” philosophy, continuously upgrading our services in global asset allocation, family governance, and generational succession. For high-net-worth Chinese clients around the world, this report is not just a policy plan. It’s a roadmap for investment and wealth management.

01.A Hub for Globalization: Better Support for Enterprises to “Go Global”

Image source: “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address.” The same source applies for the content below.

The report clearly states that Hong Kong will continue its strategic shift from “attracting investment” to “going global.”

·Launch “GoGlobal Task force” for mainland enterprises going global to create diverse internationalization plans for businesses.

·Pursue new investment agreements with countries including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Peru.

·Establish an Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Kuala Lumpur and expand its network into Latin America and Central Asia.

·Continue to enhance its status as an international shipping and aviation hub, and fully support the work of the International Organization for Mediation.

Hong Kong is becoming an increasingly vital hub for Chinese entrepreneurs looking to expand into emerging markets and grow their global operations. The city also serves as a premier platform for wealth managers, offering Chinese clients sophisticated solutions for international investment, residency planning, and tax optimization.

The Noah ARK 2025 H2 CIO Report points out that a family’s business is the primary engine of its wealth. Ensuring the stable operation of that business while isolating it from systemic risks is fundamental to achieving generational prosperity. GLORY, a service under Noah ARK, provides one-stop solutions for enterprises going global, with five core pillars of support. We construct comprehensive protection plans for entrepreneurs at different stages of their business, covering domestic insurance, overseas expansion support, equity trust structuring, overseas insurance, and tools for value-added succession.

02. Education, Tech, and Talent: Dual Opportunities in Innovation and Succession

·The Third InnoHK Research Cluster will focus on sustainable development, energy, and advanced manufacturing.

·Hong Kong will develop a low-altitude economy ecosystem, refining civil aviation regulations and infrastructure.

·A HK$2 billion education fund will support digital education and promote the development of an international education hub.

·Strengthen intellectual property financing and trading, and foster the development of young talent.

·The “Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research Institute” will be established in 2026 with an initial HK$1 billion in funding to drive the deep integration of AI across all industries.

These initiatives signal that technological innovation, green energy, and the low-altitude economy will become new investment tracks. At the same time, the strategy for education and talent reinforces the value of family succession and planning for the next generation.

Noah ARK’s latest CIO report also notes that the essence of family succession is a holistic, human-centric system of inheritance. The sustainability of wealth depends on whether family members possess the intellectual and human capital to match the times. To move from passing down a single business to ensuring the continuity of a family ecosystem, Chinese family enterprises must break the cyclical proverb that “wealth does not last more than three generations.” This requires a true generational transfer of education, health, values, and a global perspective. Our CIO report emphasizes the integrated design of educational planning and residency pathways while providing a complete solution.

03. Capital Market Reform: Upgrading the Hong Kong Stock Market

Hong Kong is accelerating efforts to enhance its financial competitiveness and openness, creating new opportunities for cross-border allocation and wealth management. Key measures include:

·Exploring shortening the stock settlement cycle to T+1, support China Concept Stock companies to return from overseas markets, with Hong Kong as their preferred destination.

·Pressing ahead with the inclusion of an RMB trading counter under Stock Connect’s Southbound trading for Hong Kong stocks.

·Establishing a Green Channel for Tech Enterprises to help mainland tech companies raise capital in Hong Kong.

·Launching a roadmap for the development of fixed-income and currency markets.

·Establishing a central gold clearing system in Hong Kong.

·Developing a licensing regime for virtual asset (VA) custodian service providers.

·Reducing the transaction price threshold of residential real estate under New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme from HK$50 million to HK$30 million for one single property. 

These reforms signify a substantial boost to the liquidity and internationalization of the Hong Kong stock market. Institutional dividends are on the horizon for the new tech economy, RMB assets, precious metals, and digital finance.

As noted in Noah ARK’s latest CIO report, the development of AI is rewriting the rules of wealth. In asset allocation, wealth managers need to build two parallel systems: one that achieves anti-fragility within an inflationary logic, benefiting from volatility and uncertainty; and another that builds a portfolio based on a tech-driven deflationary logic, investing in assets that benefit from deflation, such as digital assets and early-stage AI.

The report also highlights that on June 26, 2025, the Hong Kong SAR officially released the Policy Statement 2.0 on the Development of Digital Assets in Hong Kong, reaffirming its commitment to becoming a global innovation hub in the digital asset space.

04. The Northern Metropolis: A New Policy-Driven Engine

The Policy Address positions the Northern Metropolis as a new core of Hong Kong’s future economic development:

·Establish the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, chaired by the Chief Executive.

·Formulate dedicated laws to accelerate development and simplify statutory procedures.

·Introduce new construction methods to advance the development of a university city and attract industries.

This monumental project will create long-term investment opportunities in real estate, infrastructure, education, and emerging industries. For entrepreneurs and their families, this presents a window of opportunity to position themselves early and share in the policy-driven growth.

Noah ARK’s latest CIO report advises that in an environment of increasing global economic and tax regulatory alignment, tax compliance is not just a legal baseline but the starting point for global asset structuring and succession planning. Hong Kong stands out as an ideal destination for high-net-worth families, offering a favorable tax environment, business-friendly policies, and multiple pathways for wealth management and residency.

05. Arts and Culture: Diversifying Assets and Upgrading Lifestyles

·Develop a hub for high-end art transactions and deepen collaboration with Art Basel.

·Promote high-end yacht tourism and host the LIV Golf tour.

·Introduce market-oriented operating models to enhance the commercial value of cultural assets and museums.

The art, culture, sports, and tourism industries are becoming new frontiers for alternative asset allocation. They represent not only financial investments but also lifestyle upgrades for high-net-worth families.

“Above wealth, one finds life’s wisdom” is one of Noah ARK’s core values. We believe the meaning of wealth management extends beyond wealth itself.
For over 20 years, Noah ARK has had the privilege of creating long-term value for our clients, gaining insights into social trends, pioneering asset allocation concepts, and exploring fields like art, philanthropy, and sports alongside them. We support our clients’ journey to realize their full potential and build a life of nobility, prosperity, and happiness.

From capital market reform and the development of the Northern Metropolis to technological innovation and the cultural industry, the signals from this Policy Address are creating fresh opportunities for global Chinese entrepreneurs and high-net-worth families. Noah ARK will continue to stand by your side, helping you seize the opportunities in global asset allocation, business development, and family succession that these policies present, ensuring you can thrive in the new era of AI.