Recently, Nicolas Aguzin, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), stated in an interview with China Securities Journal that there are signs of a gradual recovery in the Hong Kong stock IPO market. HKEX is handling IPO applications from hundreds of companies. Every week, a considerable number of companies consult HKEX about matters related to listing in Hong Kong. It is believed that as the market warms up, enterprises' enthusiasm for going public will further rise. Meanwhile, investors in regions such as the Middle East have shown great interest in investing in China, and many sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East are actively deploying capital in the A-share and Hong Kong stock markets. Many investors show strong interest in China Aguzin pointed out that he recently visited many cities in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America and met numerous investors, all of whom have expressed strong interest in investing in China. Therefore, he remains confident about the future. As the interest rate hike cycle comes to an end and the economy gradually improves, investor sentiment is expected to shift, and the proportion of foreign capital investing in Chinese assets will continue to increase. Aguzin noted that HKEX will continue to optimize market infrastructure and enhance market efficiency. For example, this month, HKEX will consult the market on arrangements for continuing trading during severe weather. In the future, the market will operate normally even under severe weather conditions such as typhoons. Meanwhile, a new fixed monthly fee plan for corporate data will be launched, and the fees for mobile market data services will be reduced, enabling investors to obtain market quote data at a lower cost. HKEX is also studying lowering the minimum tick size for Hong Kong stocks to narrow the bid-ask spread and achieve better price discovery. It is expected that the market will be consulted on this matter in the second quarter of next year. Additionally, HKEX is developing an integrated fund platform for Hong Kong retail funds to lower the entry barriers of the fund industry and enrich investors' choices. HKEX should act as a global "super connector" Aguzin emphasized that Hong Kong is an extremely attractive platform integrating Eastern and Western elements. HKEX should act as a global "super connector", grow into a trusted investment and financing venue for global enterprises and investors, and strengthen its capacity to serve the real economy. These three measures will precisely serve the high-quality development of China's economy. "At present, Hong Kong's role in facilitating international financing for Chinese enterprises is more important than ever, and its positioning as a two-way development hub for 'going global' and 'bringing in' has become even more prominent." © 2021 Meishun (Hong Kong) Management Consulting Co., Ltd. and Meishun (Hangzhou) Management Consulting Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Meishun Meiyin (Hangzhou) Consulting Management Co., Ltd. is a domestic subsidiary of Hong Kong Meishun Management Consulting Co., Ltd. under the same controlling shareholder. Both companies share the same controlling shareholder and are managed under the same China-based framework, and both comply with the laws of Hong Kong and mainland China.