专访香港证监会前主席梁定邦：重构数字金融基础设施是"必答题"

Core Insights - Hong Kong's IPO financing has regained the top position globally in the first three quarters of the year, but it faces significant challenges from global financial technology advancements, particularly from the US, India, and Singapore [2] - The future development of Hong Kong's financial sector hinges on three strategic opportunities: the internationalization of the Renminbi, financial technology innovation, and the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area [2][17] - The current financial landscape necessitates immediate action, as delays could result in missed opportunities for Hong Kong to maintain its status as an international financial center [2][17] Financial Market Foundations - Hong Kong's financial market success is built on three pillars: the rule of law, high professional standards, and capital freedom [3][4] - The total assets of Hong Kong's banking sector are approximately ten times its GDP, with a GDP of around $400 billion and banking assets reaching $4 trillion [4] - Hong Kong is the largest offshore Renminbi center, handling about 80% of global offshore Renminbi transactions, and has a stable currency system with the Hong Kong dollar pegged to the US dollar [4] Capital Inflows and Economic Structure - Current capital inflows into Hong Kong are primarily concentrated in the stock market, with limited impact on the real estate sector [5] - The service sector constitutes over 93% of Hong Kong's GDP, indicating that capital should ideally flow into this area to benefit the real economy [5][6] - Hong Kong's GDP growth is close to 4% this year, reflecting positive trends in consumption and services, although some sectors like dining still face challenges [6] Commodity Market Development - Hong Kong has the potential to develop a commodities market, particularly in gold, due to changing dynamics in mainland Chinese enterprises and their need for an offshore trading hub [7][8] - The establishment of a gold trading infrastructure, including expanded storage facilities, positions Hong Kong as a key player in the region [7] Renminbi Internationalization - The internationalization of the Renminbi requires integration into payment systems and trade financing, with projects like mBridge facilitating cross-border payments using digital currencies [10][11] - mBridge has demonstrated economic benefits by reducing costs and increasing efficiency in commodity trading, highlighting the need for further development in trade financing systems [11] Asset Tokenization - Asset tokenization aims to streamline financial transactions by merging trading, clearing, and settlement processes into a single system, enhancing efficiency [12][13] - The successful implementation of asset tokenization in Hong Kong could position it as a leader in financial innovation, especially with the support of central bank digital currencies [12][14] Regulatory Framework and Innovation - Hong Kong's regulatory approach is characterized by a "sandbox" model, allowing for controlled experimentation with new financial technologies [15][16] - The need for a flexible regulatory framework is emphasized to balance innovation and risk management, ensuring that Hong Kong remains competitive in the fintech space [15][16] Future Opportunities and Challenges - The primary opportunity for Hong Kong lies in building a new digital capital market infrastructure through asset tokenization and central bank digital currencies [22] - Major challenges include geopolitical risks, talent competition, and the urgency to innovate in response to global advancements in financial technology [22]