Hong Kong’s Paul Chan aims to ‘clear up doubts about city’ at World Economic Forum in Davos

Finance chief considers promoting Hong Kong’s rule of law, economy his main priorities at conference amid scrutiny over coming local security law, the Post learns

‘He will also offer his outlook for the Chinese and Hong Kong economies and how headwinds could engender opportunities for the city,’ insider says

Reading Time:3 minutes

This year’s event at Davos is running under the theme of “Rebuilding Trust”. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 9:00pm, 15 Jan 2024Updated: 11:23pm, 15 Jan 2024

Hong Kong’s finance chief will seek to combat negative narratives about the city and discuss his outlook on the local and mainland Chinese economies at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, the Post has learned.

A source with direct knowledge of the matter on Monday said Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po considered the promotion of Hong Kong’s economy and rule of law his main priorities at the annual conference, as the city was expected to come under the spotlight over plans to enact a home-grown national security law in the coming months.

“[Chan] will strive to clear up doubts about Hong Kong in every aspect,” the insider said. “He will also offer his outlook for the Chinese and Hong Kong economies and how headwinds could engender opportunities for the city.”

The five-day forum in Davos opened on Monday with the theme of “Rebuilding Trust” focusing on the basic principles of transparency, coherence and responsibility.

Finance chief Paul Chan arrived in Switzerland on Monday and is expected to speak at two sessions during the five-day forum. Photo: Jelly Tse

Chan arrived in Switzerland on Monday and is expected to speak at two sessions during the forum. The first one, with the theme “Yes in My Backyard”, will involve the minister and five other speakers discussing how to tackle opposition to developments considered undesirable by some people living in the affected area.