Hong Kong may post strongest growth in five years, Financial Secretary Paul Chan says, after 5.1% first-half growth

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan said on a radio programme on Saturday that Hong Kong could record its strongest full-year economic growth in five years in 2026. He said the economy grew by 5.1 percent in the first half of the year, and that strong export performance and investment growth continued into the third quarter.

Mega events and FinTech Week ahead

Chan pointed to high visitor numbers and busy streets, and a run of mega events such as the Wine and Dine Festival plus major concerts. FinTech Week is coming up, he added. Taken together, he said, there is a chance 2026 will be the strongest full-year growth in the past five years.

An outlook, not a final figure

Chan's remark is an outlook based on first-half growth of 5.1 percent and the momentum continuing into the third quarter, not a published full-year figure; the final 2026 number remains to be released by the authorities. The report also noted that locals still make up the majority of visitors around the events, with the rest coming from overseas and the mainland.