Chen Maobo: Actively reviewing the possibility of enhancing the dual-class share structure to increase liquidity.

Hong Kong's GDP is estimated to have grown by 5.9% year-on-year in the first quarter, exceeding expectations and marking the strongest quarterly growth in nearly five years. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, speaking on a radio program, stated that despite ongoing trade wars, Hong Kong's exports remain strong, and the business sectors in both mainland China and Hong Kong are agile and flexible. Additionally, the recent surge in artificial intelligence has benefited exports of AI-related equipment, which is a favorable development. At the beginning of the year, the government estimated a full-year economic growth of 2.5% to 3.5% in the budget. When asked if this forecast will be updated, Paul Chan Mo-po mentioned that there are still a lot of uncertainties, including geopolitical issues and oil prices. He emphasized the need to carefully evaluate the situation due to the high level of uncertainty in the current global environment and the possibility of unforeseen events such as 'black swan' events. The government economists will consider various factors before making a decision on updating the full-year growth forecast. Chan noted that investment growth in the past few years has been stagnant or low, but in the first quarter of this year, investment rose by 17%, reflecting positive market sentiment. He highlighted that part of the investment was related to the purchase of machinery, and part was related to construction, indicating a stabilization and improvement in the property market, with expectations for a stronger recovery in the construction industry. Looking ahead, Paul Chan Mo-po expressed optimism about Hong Kong's economic prospects. Despite challenges such as geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices driving inflation, he believed that efforts to develop the Northern Metropolis area, combined with the strength of the financial market, could diversify Hong Kong's economic growth engines beyond just finance and trade towards innovation and technology. Chan emphasized that while the bright economic figures may not be felt across all industries, sectors like finance, trade, and innovation are seeing positive developments. He acknowledged that the restaurant industry has been slower to recover, but policies to assist other industries in transitioning will be implemented. Stability in the property market will boost consumer confidence, and the government plans to host large-scale events to attract more tourists and stimulate job growth at the grassroots level. In terms of investment environment, Chan expressed confidence in the positive outlook for this year, noting that about 40% of funds are coming from European and American institutional investors, indicating a favorable trend. As an international financial center and leading stock market, Hong Kong needs more quality companies to list, and the stock market must keep up with the times. He revealed that there are ongoing considerations to enhance the dual-class share structure to increase liquidity.