Hong Kong has retained its position as the world’s freest economy, according to a ranking by Canadian public policy think tank Fraser Institute.
Among the five areas of assessment in the report, the city maintained its top position in “Freedom to trade internationally” and secured second place in “Regulation”, said the Economic Freedom of the World 2026 Annual Report released on Tuesday by the institute.
The special administrative region government said the report affirmed the city’s strengths as a free-market economy, alongside its open, efficient and fair business environment.
“Amid increasing global economic uncertainties and rising trade protectionism, Hong Kong remains firmly committed to maintaining its free port status, zero-tariff policy, and simple and low tax regime, providing a secure, stable, fair, predictable and internationalized business and investment environment for investors and entrepreneurs from around the world,” said a spokesman for the SAR government.
As the country remains committed to high-standard, two-way opening up and continues to achieve breakthroughs in technological innovation, it serves as a major stabilizing force and driving engine for global economic growth, the spokesman said. Under the “one country, two systems” framework, the HKSAR enjoys the strong support of the motherland while maintaining close connections with the rest of the world, the spokesman added.
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While offering convenient access to both the Chinese mainland and international markets, the city continues to practice common law in both Chinese and English. It also provides financial, shipping, trading and professional services that align seamlessly with international best standards, supported by an efficient government structure and a clean, professional civil service, according to the spokesman.
“These strengths enable Hong Kong to fully leverage its roles and functions as a ‘superconnector’ and ‘super value-adder’, making it the best gateway for mainland enterprises to enter international markets and for overseas enterprises to enter the mainland.”
So far this year, the city has continued to scale new heights across various international competitiveness rankings spanning finance, innovation and technology, education and talent, which reflects wide recognition by the international community of the SAR’s core strengths and its government’s efforts to promote high-quality social and economic development, the spokesman said.
With the staunch support of our country, the HKSAR government will continue to work with all sectors of the community to further enhance the city’s roles and functions as ‘four centers and one hub’ and accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, the spokesman said. “These efforts will inject stronger impetus into social and economic development, open up broader development prospects for local enterprises and the public, and provide greater opportunities for enterprises, investors and talent worldwide.”
Contact the writer at shamim@chinadailyhk.com
