Opinion | Hong Kong is emerging as a leading capital hub of the multipolar era
For years, Hong Kong’s obituary has been repeatedly written by international commentators. Geopolitical tensions, pandemic isolation, concerns over capital flight and questions surrounding the city’s future contributed to a narrative of irreversible decline.
The symbolism is difficult to overstate. For decades, Switzerland represented the pinnacle of offshore finance, synonymous with wealth preservation, banking sophistication and international capital mobility. Hong Kong surpassing Switzerland is not only a financial industry milestone but a broader turning point in the geography of global wealth.
The development reflects a structural transformation unfolding beneath the surface of geopolitical headlines. The centre of gravity of global wealth creation is shifting. Mainland China alone has generated one of the largest expansions of private wealth in modern history. Despite slower economic growth and the ongoing property market correction, China continues to produce high-net-worth individuals on an extraordinary scale.