Experts urge Hong Kong to be a ‘value partner’, not just a ‘superconnector’

Hong Kong should ensure it acts as a “value partner” in addition to its role as a “superconnector” between mainland China and the rest of the world, rather than as a mere facilitator of connections, according to experts including the city’s former commerce chief.

Speaking at the South China Morning Post 2025 China Conference themed “Where Capital Meets Innovation” on Tuesday, former secretary for commerce and economic development Edward Yau Tang-wah said Hong Kong should not merely aim to “connect the dots”.

“What we do to secure Hong Kong’s position as described by the chief executive and all the previous leaders is we must bring value, and the value is not just gold plating, but also to create a dependable partnership that could join things together,” he said.

“Hong Kong must enter into the game of building this partnership.”

Another speaker, Patrick Lau Hui-ping, deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, said the city had remained resilient in merchandise trade despite external pressures.

He highlighted that exports from the mainland, channelled through Hong Kong, had seen their global market share increase from 12 per cent to around 14 per cent, even after initial tariffs were imposed.