What Changed
- Financial Secretary Paul Chan and SFC CEO Julia Leung discussed securities market regulation and mutual market access with CSRC Chairman Wu Qing.
- Hong Kong Secretary Algernon Yau signed two MOUs with the Ministry of Commerce covering economic co-operation and pilot free trade zone alignment.
- The governments confirmed plans to sign an MOU for a comprehensive upgrade of CEPA to expand market access for service sectors.
Businesses, financial institutions, and service providers operating across Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) are directly affected by ongoing regulatory and trade integration initiatives between the two jurisdictions.
On October 23, 2026, Hong Kong's Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, conducted an official visit to Beijing. In the morning, Mr Chan held a meeting with Mr Wu Qing, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), alongside Ms Julia Leung, Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The meeting covered detailed exchanges on strengthening collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong in securities market regulation and development, as well as further deepening mutual market access.
In the afternoon, Mr Chan met with Assistant Minister of Commerce Mr Yuan Xiaoming at the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), accompanied by Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau. Under the mechanism of the Mainland and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Co-operation Committee, two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed in their presence:
1. An MOU on strengthening economic and trade co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong, signed by Mr Algernon Yau and Mr Sun Yi, Director-General of the MOC's Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs.
2. An MOU on strengthening exchanges and co-operation with free trade zones and ports, signed by Mr Algernon Yau and Ms He Yongqian, Director-General of the MOC's Department of Pilot Free Trade Zone and Free Trade Port.
According to the announcement, these MOUs aim to deepen the alignment of Mainland pilot free trade zones and free trade ports with Hong Kong's internationalised business environment, professional services system, and global resources network. Additionally, following the 2024 amendment agreement under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the two sides plan to sign an MOU to pursue a comprehensive upgrade of CEPA, expanding Mainland market access for Hong Kong's service sectors.
Who May Be Affected
Securities market participants, financial institutions, trade operators, and professional service firms conducting cross-border operations between Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR.
Cross-Border Context
Covers regulatory collaboration and institutional integration between Hong Kong SAR and Mainland China across trade, financial markets, and free trade zones.
What to check next
- Check future announcements from the Ministry of Commerce and the HKSAR Government regarding implementation details of the signed MOUs.
- Monitor formal updates regarding the negotiated CEPA comprehensive upgrade.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.