MTR dedicated to the construction of strong transportation network

In recent times, the trend of economic globalization in shaping the world economy has faced increasing challenges. Significant adjustments in the international landscape and volatility of global trade patterns in recent years have posed obstacles to the stability of global industrial and supply chains. But all these developments have also become a catalyst for accelerating China to deepen its two-way opening-up and the achievements of continuous technological transformation under the development of new quality productive forces.

As the world's second largest economy and a major emerging market, China has been taking a proactive approach in responding to the current trends so that it can be more integrated with international standards in rules, regulations and management methods so to further enhance China's competitiveness and contributions to the global economy. A broader institutional opening-up not only helps optimize the business environment and attract more high-quality foreign investment as well as advanced technology and talents, but also stimulates innovation domestically. It also facilitates Chinese companies to go global and contribute to high-quality economic development.

China Development Forum 2025

In recent years, the Chinese government has been actively opening up its market for foreign investors, optimizing administrative measures for the access of foreign investment, encouraging the financial sector to embrace international financial regulatory standards, facilitating trade, and strengthening policies for intellectual property protection. All of these measures demonstrate China's determination to drive economic globalization and expand institutional opening-up.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has long been serving as an important window for the country to open up to the world. Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong fully leverages its distinct advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connections with the world. Leveraging its unique strengths as a highly open, law-based, market-oriented and internationalized business environment, Hong Kong can continue to actively support its motherland in expanding institutional openness.

Firstly, with well-established rules and practices that are in line with international standards in terms of property rights protection, labor protection, environmental standards, financial regulations, etc, the practice and successful experiences of Hong Kong can serve as a showcase. At the same time, Hong Kong strives for attracting the global talents required for the country's development. Additionally, Hong Kong provides Chinese mainland companies with more diversified overseas financing channels, and comprehensive risk management and consulting services, which helps these companies to "go out" and expand into overseas markets.

Rex Auyeung Pak-Kuen, Chairman of MTR, at China Development Forum 2025

As the major transport infrastructure developer and public transport operator of Hong Kong, MTR Corporation has actively contributed to the regional development. It has been providing safe, efficient and high-quality railway services and continues to enhance its efficiency and services with the adoption of innovation and advanced technology. MTR also exports high quality and efficient services and has successfully promote this local brand to the world.

While the corporation has been sharing experiences to advance global railway development, it particularly focuses to make contributions to China’s desire of building a strong transportation system. It has invested in urban rail transit in Chinese mainland since the early 2000s, currently operating more than 300 kilometers of urban railway lines through PPP or O&M business models in Beijing, Hangzhou and Shenzhen. MTR has also been conducting trials in cities such as Chengdu, Zhengzhou and Xi'an recently to explore new at-station commercial models in a bid to enhance the financial sustainability of railway systems.  MTR has also leveraged its strength of having rich experiences of international business development and joined hands with Chinese mainland companies such as the National Railway Group and CRRC to expand overseas.

Throughout the years of its investment and growing business in Chinese mainland, MTR has gained a deep sense of confidence and determination to further expand its presence in the Chinese mainland.

In closing, MTR will continue to support the globalization and institutional opening up of its motherland by sharing our expertise and experiences accumulated over the years to contribute to the high-quality development of the country.