Hong Kong, (September 9, 2025) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has emerged as the world’s fifth-largest economy, with a combined GDP of US$3.9 trillion. The region’s digital economy is on a promising trajectory toward sustainable profitability, positioning itself as a significant player in the global economic landscape. In 2024, Asean strengthened its economic ties with Hong Kong, becoming the city’s second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding US$145 billion. Hong Kong continues to play an important role as an investor in the Asean region, reflecting the mutual benefits of collaboration and partnership.
This year’s SCMP Hong Kong-Asean Summit brought together more than 300 government officials and business leaders from Hong Kong and Asean, discussing the emerging opportunities and the potential for deeper economic integration, which will promote the convergence of talent, resources, funding and innovation.
“There are plenty of good reasons for Asean companies to look to Hong Kong for their future. This year, the International Institute for Management Development’s World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Hong Kong third globally in competitiveness. The Institute released its annual World Talent Ranking, in which Hong Kong’s ranking rose to fourth globally and first in the Asia Pacific. This is our highest-ever position in the ranking, having climbed up five places from last year. Indeed, our ranking rose 12 places over the past two years, a clear testament to the HKSAR Government’s enhanced efforts in education and talent development.” – The Hon John KC Lee, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
“Being an international hub for trade, investment and innovation, Hong Kong can be a ‘super value-adder’ by offering professional services that meet global standards. The city can also serve as a ‘super connector’ that enhances the links between mainland China and Asean by facilitating the flow of capital, talent and innovations. Both Hong Kong and Asean have shown strong resilience and dynamism, presenting opportunities for mutual growth.” – Catherine So, CEO, South China Morning Post
“The Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation was born from the simple idea of promoting and deepening relations with Asean through culture, education, thought leadership and community engagement. In addition to this summit and our annual ASEAN Film Festival, which has completed its third edition and expanded to cover Belt and Road countries this year, we have worked with universities and various organisations on a wide range of activities spanning student exchange programmes, traditional festivities and community outreach programmes.” – Dr Daryl Ng, Chairman, Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation
“Beyond Asean, the Asia-Pacific region is also evolving rapidly in today’s multipolar world. Businesses must reshape their strategies, transforming uncertainty into opportunity, complexity into clarity, and challenges into an engine of growth. Businesses must transform to drive competitiveness and prosperity and lead the Asia-Pacific region to a brighter future as the world’s most resilient and sustainable economic powerhouse.” – Frederick Chin, Head of Group Wholesale Banking and Markets, UOB
“Building futures could not be more timely in an era where borders are bridges and partnerships drive progress. Hong Kong and Asean stand at a crossroads of unprecedented possibilities. As Malaysia chairs Asean in 2025, we have witnessed firsthand how connectivity transforms communities, creates jobs and builds lasting prosperity. But connectivity is not just about moving goods and people. It is about moving ideas, innovation and hope.” – YB Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport, Malaysia
“In 2026, we will build on Malaysia’s achievements this year and ensure that with Hong Kong as a ‘super connector’, Asean and Hong Kong together will be catalysts for a border region that is more connected and prosperous. This will serve as the ballast that provides stability as we navigate an increasingly turbulent global environment. We are not just building horizons between our economies, we are building the future of an integrated, sustainable and inclusive world.” – Dr Ceferino S Rodolfo, Undersecretary for Industry Development and Investment Promotions, The Philippines
For further insights into the conference discussions, visit SCMP.
- Editorial | Hong Kong-Asean collaboration offers huge potential for growth
- Hong Kong shoots up global talent ranking to No 4: John Lee
- Malaysia urges Hong Kong to tap Asean’s trade potential ‘as a bloc’
- Business leaders push for stronger Asean ties to tap region’s potential
- Hong Kong businesses can see ‘light at the end of tunnel’ but measures needed
SCMP’s Hong Kong-Asean Summit 2025 is supported by:
- Presenting Sponsor: UOB
- Diamond Sponsor: Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation
- Platinum Sponsor: FWD Insurance
- Gold Sponsor: Selangor State Government
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About the South China Morning Post (SCMP)
The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, the SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing staff of correspondents across Asia and the United States. Our mission is to “Lead the global conversation on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia”. The SCMP has received hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence from prestigious organisations such as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. The SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong, including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.
