Tag: Hong Kong

Hong Kong – The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) has launched its latest #OpenToArt initiative in conjunction with the M+ Special Exhibition, “Guo Pei: Fashioning Imagination,” aiming to transform Hong Kong into a vibrant hub for art, couture, and fashion.

Since 2022, HSBC Hong Kong has been the inaugural lead partner of M+, dedicated to bringing the world’s most exquisite artworks to the city. As the lead sponsor of M+’s Special Exhibition, “Guo Pei: Fashioning Imagination,” HSBC is embarking on a two-month innovative marketing campaign, playing a crucial role in showcasing the rich legacy of couture craftsmanship.

The Special Exhibition showcases over 40 stunning haute couture pieces designed by Guo Pei, the only Chinese designer to have presented ten couture collections at Paris Haute Couture Week for five consecutive years. By sponsoring this exhibition, HSBC invites visitors to explore Guo Pei’s captivating world and gain insights into her extraordinary design journey.

To promote the event, HSBC implemented a comprehensive marketing strategy that seamlessly integrated online and offline tactics, sparking an art frenzy across Hong Kong. In collaboration with the PR agency MSL Hong Kong, HSBC is enhancing the exhibition’s visibility through a wide range of innovative marketing approaches.

HSBC has collaborated with four prominent fashion icons—Kathy Chow, Grace Chan, Mayao Ma, and Heidi Lee—to create an engaging Instagram Reels teaser in anticipation of the exhibition. The video features these talents strutting down a red carpet that transforms the city into a vibrant runway connecting the HSBC Main Building to M+. This visually striking representation highlights HSBC’s commitment to unlocking opportunities for diverse individuals and reinforces its dedication to the #OpenToArt initiative, breaking both physical and artistic boundaries to inspire the community to embrace art.

Additionally, HSBC also strategically installed a tram shelter advertisement in Central, effectively reaching diverse audiences to celebrate Guo Pei’s artistry. These eye-catching ads are designed to captivate passersby, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm within the local community. 

By creating a buzz around the upcoming exhibition, HSBC seeks to inspire individuals and foster a deeper appreciation for art and culture in Hong Kong. This initiative not only engages a wide audience but also enhances awareness of the vibrant artistic landscape in the city.

Cheuk Shum, managing director and head of marketing for wealth and personal banking at HSBC Hong Kong, said, “We are excited to promote M+ Special Exhibition, ‘Guo Pei: Fashioning Imagination’ across online and offline platforms, linking Hong Kong with the global art scene through innovative marketing ideas. The red carpet concept adapted in the Instagram reels is an invitation for everyone to engage with art, reflecting our vision of turning Hong Kong into a dynamic stage for fashion and creativity. Through strategic collaborations with influencers, we strive to connect people of all backgrounds and ages to diverse art forms, broadening awareness of art events to a wider audience in Hong Kong.”

HSBC will continue to support and sponsor M+ exhibitions and community activities, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing the artistic landscape. Through the #OpenToArt initiative, HSBC aims to foster art and culture, bridging local and global boundaries to connect artists and artworks with the vibrant city of Hong Kong.

Many recent technology developments such as generative AI and enhanced customer engagement strategies. are greatly improving the marketing and advertising environment and providing several advantages in a variety of fields. For instance, businesses are analysing customer data in a new way thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, which allows for accurate targeting and personalised content distribution. 

With the use of these technologies, marketers can better target their ads to specific audiences, anticipate their behaviour, and increase engagement and conversion rates. Large data sets must be swiftly processed and interpreted in order for marketing tactics to be both more successful and flexible enough to respond to shifting consumer patterns.

Moreover, as these technologies develop further, they give marketers strong tools to design dynamic, captivating, and tailored campaigns that increase consumer loyalty to brands and broaden their consumer base. In the future, incorporating these state-of-the-art technologies is expected to further enhance the efficacy and originality of marketing campaigns, establishing new benchmarks for success in the sector.

To further explore more industry insights on the future of marketing and advertising this 2024 and beyond, MARKETECH APAC has announced new updates to its industry-leading What’s NEXT series, with more expanded plans targeted to reach more marketers in the Asia-Pacific region, giving industry leaders a platform to highlight their insights and advice on the latest trends in marketing and advertising.

What’s NEXT in Marketing: Indonesia 2024

Kicking off this year’s instalment is MARKETECH APAC’s debut conference in Indonesia with its What’s NEXT in Marketing: Indonesia 2024 which will be held on November 7 at Pullman Jakarta Indonesia. This inaugural flagship event will offer industry leaders with a platform to exchange experiences, knowledge, and foresights that will shape the future of marketing in Indonesia.

Our initial roster of speakers include:

  • Bharat Buxani, Senior Vice President, Marketing at 99 Group Indonesia
  • Kelvin Hong, Director of Brand Marketing at A&W Restaurants Inc
  • Gita Rostika, Group Head of Marketing at bank bjb
  • Mediko Azwar, Chief Marketing Officer at Blue Bird Group
  • Ilham Pratama, Head of Marketing at Chery Motor
  • Irfansyah Kurnia Putra, Country Head of Marketing at IKEA
  • Rajesh Grover, Group VP – Digital and Omnichannel at Kanmo Group
  • Yosua Tanuwiria, VP of Marketing at Pluang
  • Ryan Dawa, Head of Marketing at Reku
  • Asnawi Jufrie, VP & GM of Southeast Asia at SleekFlow

What’s NEXT in Marketing: Malaysia 2024

Later this year, What’s NEXT in Marketing: Malaysia 2024 will also kick-off on December 3-4 at Sheraton Petaling Jaya. This conference is the second time a What’s NEXT conference has been held in Malaysia following the successful launch of the 2023 conference back in December 5, 2023.

Our initial roster of speakers for this 2024 conference includes:

  • Andrea Chuang, Campaign Marketing Head at AirAsia MOVE
  • Huey Ying Leong, Head of Marketing at Burger King
  • Xing Jun Khoo, Head of Digital, Media & Insights at Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad
  • Evelyn Lee, Head of Marketing at Secret Recipe Cakes & Cafe
  • Asnawi Jufrie, VP and GM of Southeast Asia at SleekFlow 
  • Mun Yee Lau, Head of Branded Content and Social at TIME dotCom
  • Jason Yong, CEO and Founder of Unicom Marketing
  • Alyaa Ramlan, Head of Social at Unifi

What’s NEXT in Marketing: Singapore 2025

Kicking off in 2025 as well is our What’s NEXT in Marketing: Singapore 2025 which will be held from February 19-20. This is the second What’s NEXT conference in Singapore following the 2024 edition on March 7 and saw an attendance of 150 delegates.

What’s NEXT in Marketing: Philippines 2025

For 2025, MARKETECH APAC kicks off its first What’s NEXT conference of that year with What’s NEXT in Marketing: Philippines 2025 which will be held on March 26 to 27, 2025 at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. This is the third time What’s NEXT will cater to the Philippine market following huge success on its first instalment of the conference in 2023 with more than 200 in-person attendees, while the second one earlier this year had 219 in-person attendees.

What’s NEXT in Marketing: Hong Kong 2025

For the first time ever, MARKETECH APAC will also be bringing the What’s NEXT conference in Hong Kong with its What’s NEXT in Marketing: Hong Kong 2025 happening in April 24, 2025. More details will be announced.

Joven Barceñas, founder and CEO of MARKETECH APAC, said, “Since its launch, What’s NEXT has always set its vision to ignite powerful conversations that will shape the future of marketing in Asia-Pacific. From emerging technologies to shifting consumer behaviours, What’s NEXT is where industry leaders, visionaries, and trendsetters will come together to explore new frontiers, redefine strategies, and inspire groundbreaking ideas. These conferences are more than just events—they are catalysts for change, empowering us to stay ahead of the curve, anticipate trends, and lead the charge in transforming the way we connect with consumers. We are thrilled that this year’s series, we are expanding the conversations in Indonesia and Hong Kong.”

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Joven Barceñas at [email protected].

For speaking opportunities for these conferences, contact Katherine Sy at [email protected]; and for registrations, reach out to Hans Policarpio at [email protected].

Hong Kong – iProspect Hong Kong has recently spearheaded KFC Hong Kong’s brand campaign with the sought-after Japanese anime “Attack on Titan The Final Season”. This “Krunch! Chill Out and Attack On!” campaign marks another massive undertaking by KFC with an iconic anime IP. 

Despite the anime’s focus on high-stakes battles against giant titans, iProspect demonstrated its expertise in orchestrating complex brand collaborations. Through its dedicated IP offerings and a blend of creative, media, and UX/UI elements, iProspect thoughtfully reframes these intense anime motifs in a way that resonates with the local market and aligns with KFC’s brand identity.

At the heart of the campaign is KFC’s brand positioning of providing a “Krispy” break – a moment of indulgence and relaxation amidst the daily pressures of life. This concept is brought to life through the animated commercials that integrated “Attack on Titan” characters into scenarios that mirror the daily struggles faced by the local consumers. 

Leveraging iProspect’s creative expertise in marrying animated IP and the brand products seamlessly, the animated Titan characters were designed to carry KFC chickens in their hands, further echoing the KFC brand identity of playful and bold.

Moreover, one of the animated spots features the Attack Titan dressed in business attire who emerges to tell a stressed-out office worker “Feeling stressful? Eat KFC to relax! (有壓力？ 食件雞囉！)”. The other commercial features the Attack Titan who stopped the Jaw Titan with a student backpack who is overwhelmed with homework, to “Slow down, chill out and eat KFC to relieve (唔洗咁 chur 喎，食件雞唞吓啦你！)”.

These relatable scenarios, enhanced by the use of familiar Hong Kong idioms and colloquial phrases, further enhance the local relevance and resonance of KFC’s brand messaging.

KFC x Attack on Titan merchandise

iProspect Hong Kong and KFC have also developed a line of six exclusive merchandise items inspired by “Attack on Titan: The Final Season” character elements with a pun-intended product name in Cantonese – “Krispy Break” Maneuver Gear (唞唞「雞」動裝置)”, including ‘Krispy Break Titan Eye Mask’, ‘Survey Corps Neck Pillow with Cape’, ‘Infinite Stress Popping Bucket’, ‘Survey Corps Krispy Break Portable Fan’, ‘Titan “Kooling” Towel’, and ‘“Krispy Break” Acrylic Stand Blind Box’, aimed to remind working classes and students to take a break during their busy days.

KFC x Attack on Titan OOH activation

Both have also have taken the collaboration a step further by transforming the flagship KFC store in Causeway Bay into a fully immersive “Attack on Titan” experience. Both the interior and exterior of the store are decorated with the designs of the anime characters, bringing the thrilling Titan scenes to life.

The second floor also features two giant photo spots, recreating classic scenes from the anime. This first-of-its-kind move showcases KFC’s commitment to providing consumers with a 360-degree engagement that aligns with their brand positioning of making life easier and offering an instant space for people to dive in, set themselves free, and indulge in what they want for a moment.

KFC x Attack on Titan store wrap

Lastly, to further reinforce the brand’s role in providing a moment of respite and relaxation, KFC created an opportunity for the audience to reflect on their daily stresses and the need for a break. Leveraging iProspect’s UX/UI expertise, an interactive “Titan Attribute” game has been implemented to allow consumers to match their personality traits to corresponding Titan characters and discover their “Titan alter ego” with tailored stress-coping methods.

Janet Lau, marketing director of KFC HK & Macau, said, “We are thrilled by iProspect Hong Kong’s ability to cater to all our needs for this captivating ‘Attack on Titan’ collaboration. The strategic partnership with ‘Attack on Titan’ enables us to successfully communicate our brand identity and connect with our customers, particularly engaging with a younger demographic.”

KFC x Attack on Titan “Titan Attribute” game

Meanwhile, Christa Ma, business director at iProspect Hong Kong commented, “This successful campaign showcases our agency’s expertise in bringing IP activations to life, especially through the immersive Causeway Bay flagship store experience and the diverse merchandise offerings. It demonstrates our ability to deliver innovative, eye-catching campaigns that drive real impact and engagement. By tapping into the beloved anime’s characters and motifs, we’ve successfully engaged the busy working class and student segments, delivering a campaign that strikes a profound chord with our target audience.”

The campaign is running from 22 August to 18 September and being promoted across a diverse array of multimedia platforms, including television broadcasting, digital channels, outdoor advertising, influencer social media channels, print ads, MTR network, domination of the Causeway Bay KFC flagship store and all other KFC stores.

Hong Kong – Global communications agency Burson has announced the appointment of Simeon Mellalieu as its new CEO for Hong Kong, effective October 2, 2024. 

Mellalieu brings 25 years of experience advising multinational companies on national, regional, and global communication strategies designed to build brands and safeguard reputations.

Throughout his career, Mellalieu has managed an extensive portfolio of clients across diverse sectors, including fast fashion, semiconductors, automotive, gaming, travel and leisure, enterprise and consumer technology, food and beverage, and banking and payments. He is also a dedicated supporter of academic and trade organisations throughout Hong Kong and the broader APAC region. 

Notably, Mellalieu served as a board member and Chairman of PR Hong Kong (formerly the Council of PR Firms of Hong Kong) from 2010 to 2013. Before joining Burson, he was a partner for client development at Ketchum Asia-Pacific and managing director of Ketchum Hong Kong.

HS Chung, CEO for North APAC at Burson, said, “We are delighted to welcome Simeon to our APAC leadership team. Hong Kong remains a critical regional hub for Asian companies seeking to build their reputation on the global stage. Simeon’s extensive experience will help us further bolster our ‘Asia Going Global’ offer in Hong Kong, helping clients navigate pivotal market changes and seize opportunities, both in the region and abroad.”

Mellalieu began his communications career in the UK and has spent over two decades in Hong Kong. Before joining Ketchum, he worked at Bulletin International in London and Warman & Bannister in Cambridge.

Speaking about his appointment, Mellalieu shared, “This is an incredibly exciting and important moment in time to be joining Burson. We have a large and extremely talented team in Hong Kong supported by a powerful global network. I’m looking forward to working alongside my new colleagues locally and internationally to build our leading position in the industry based on innovative solutions, cut-through creativity, and incisive technology.”

Hong Kong – Alternative payment solutions are the preferred payment method for e-commerce purchases in Hong Kong (China SAR), collectively accounting for 41.7% share in 2023, according to data and analytics company GlobalData.

The report reveal that e-commerce market in Hong Kong grew by 10.5% in 2023 to reach HKD160.3b(US$20.5b), as increasing number of consumers shifted from offline to online purchases. The e-commerce market is estimated to grow by 13% to reach HKD181b ($23.1b) in 2024.

Amongst the various tools used for e-commerce purchases, alternative payments are the most preferred. They collectively accounted for 41.7% share in 2023, a trend that is prevalent in many Asian markets. This is mainly owing to factors such as simplicity, speed, and convenience.

Moreover, alternative payment solutions are followed by payment cards, which accounted for 38.6% of the total e-commerce transaction value in 2023. This can be attributed to convenience, pricing benefits such as cashback, discounts, and reward points as well as instalment payment options available with these cards.

Alternative payment solutions are followed by payment cards, which accounted for 38.6% of the total e-commerce transaction value in 2023. This can be attributed to convenience, pricing benefits such as cashback, discounts, and reward points as well as instalment payment options available with these cards.

Ravi Sharma, lead banking and payments analyst at GlobalData, said, “The e-commerce sales in Hong Kong have been growing at a robust pace, supported by the rising internet and smartphone penetration, robust online payment infrastructure, coupled with increasing consumer confidence in online transactions.”

Ravi added, “Hong Kong’s e-commerce landscape continues its upward trajectory, poised for substantial growth between 2024 and 2028, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate of 9% in transaction value to reach HKD 255.7b (US$32.7b) in 2028. Alternative payment solutions are expected to continue their growth and lead e-commerce payments in Hong Kong.”

According to the Office of Communications Authority, 96.9% of the households had broadband internet connection as of April 2024. Furthermore, online shopping festivals such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Singles’ Day have also contributed to the overall growth of e-commerce in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong – As the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games begin, Cathay has teamed up with Publicis Groupe Hong Kong to launch a new campaign honouring the historic achievements of previous Hong Kong’s Paralympians.

Titled ‘Every Move Counts,’ Cathay’s campaign seeks to revive and spotlight the stories behind Hong Kong’s most legendary Paralympic moments, many of which were barely recorded and have since faded from memory.

The campaign puts a focus on three trailblazing Paralympians—Cho Ping, Benny Cheung, and Ko Chi Kin. Utilising AI, it reimagines and brings to life the pivotal moments when these athletes competed and won medals for Hong Kong.

As part of the campaign launch, Cathay is also rolling out a range of supportive initiatives for Hong Kong’s Paralympians, including special check-in counters, excess baggage allowances, dedicated baggage handling in Hong Kong and Paris, unlimited business class flights, 1 million miles for medallists, and more.

Edward Bell, general manager of brand, insights, and marketing at Cathay, said, “As the Official Airline Partner of the China Hong Kong Paralympics Committee, Cathay wanted to honour the grit, passion, and sheer talent of our home city’s Paralympics team, who share Cathay’s ‘Move Beyond’ spirit. Just like them, Cathay strives to make every move count, so we launched a campaign to ensure that this year these amazing athletes get the recognition and cheers they deserve.”

Halo Cheng, group creative director at Leo Burnett Hong Kong, added, “We’ve been oblivious to the monumental feats from our highest-achieving athletes for too long, but now Hong Kong’s Paralympians are finally getting the cheers they deserve. It was a huge honour to interview past Paralympians and learn their stories. We may have missed out on cheering for past Paralympians, but it’s not too late to cheer on this year’s 23 athletes.” 

Cathay recently introduced its new brand ambassador, Siobhán Haughey, a double bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Together, they are championing support for Hong Kong’s local athletes while inspiring everyone to reach new heights in their own journeys.

Hong Kong – DBS in Hong Kong has announced the launch of its new ‘Trust Your Spark’ brand campaign, which aims to inspire people to believe in themselves and make their dreams a reality. The campaign conveys the message that there is a spark within each person that allows them to live more fully when they trust in themselves and lean into their potential.

The campaign will be brought to life through a variety of initiatives, including an AI Photo Generator tour popping up around Hong Kong over the next two weeks. This mobile photo experience uses Gen-AI to create personalised photo previews of participants living their dreams, whether as a musician, athlete, artist or any aspiration. 

By visualising their future self, DBS hopes to ignite inner sparks, especially for youth, and motivate people to pursue their passions. 

Participants can also redeem a portable fan on-site while supplies last. They will also receive a printed photo preview of their future dreamed self, which they can share on social media. By uploading their personalised dream photo to Facebook or Instagram with #TrustYourSpark, people will be entered into a lucky draw for the chance to win prizes to help make their next dream come true.

Amy Wu, executive director of group strategic marketing and communications at DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, said, “At DBS, we believe there is an inner spark waiting to be unleashed so people can live a more rich and meaningful life. Our ‘Trust Your Spark’ campaign aims to inspire that belief through real-life stories of DBS customers, employees, and partners who found courage to do more because they believed in themselves and trusted that DBS had their backs.” 

Hong Kong – CA SEGA JOYPOLIS, renowned for operating Japan’s TOKYO JOYPOLIS indoor amusement park, has announced its plans to expand internationally with the launch of its first overseas flagship, JOYPOLIS SPORTS Indoor Sportainment Park, at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Mall.

Tailored for Kai Tak Sports Park’s Kai Tak Mall, the new sports-themed park will cover five stories and nearly 30,000 square feet, featuring more than 20 attractions that combine cutting-edge technology with innovative entertainment to offer locals and visitors a unique experience of interactive sports. 

The new JOYPOLIS SPORTS in Hong Kong will feature three distinct themed zones offering unique sports experiences. Highlights include the debut of the ‘Sonic Stadium,’ an interactive playground themed around Sonic the Hedgehog; the ‘Ninja Dojo Zone,’ which combines traditional Japanese ninja elements with the Ninja Warrior sports concept for immersive, experiential learning; and the ‘Future Arena Zone,’ showcasing CA SEGA JOYPOLIS’s latest innovations with cutting-edge sports games developed by top industry creators.

As the flagship JOYPOLIS SPORTS location in Hong Kong, this expansive entertainment centre is set to be a premier destination for health enthusiasts. It also promises future collaborations with popular Japanese brands and IPs for exclusive events and limited-edition merchandise.

Meanwhile, the top floor of JOYPOLIS SPORTS will feature ‘Hungry Tiger Hidden Dragon,’ a restaurant and bar designed by Keo W. This venue blends sports elements with popular IPs and offers a semi-alfresco dining area with a stunning stadium view. Its trendy modernist interiors showcase Western-Japanese fusion cuisine, including healthy options and themed meals. In the evening, it transforms into a stylish bar, creating an interactive space for spectators and event participants.

Speaking on the launch, Takeshi Yoshimoto, CEO of CA SEGA JOYPOLIS, said, “Opening the first authorised JOYPOLIS SPORTS flagship outside Japan in Hong Kong is a significant step in our global expansion. We selected Kai Tak Sports Park and its Kai Tak Mall for their excellent location and first-class facilities, which are sure to attract many local and international visitors. We believe this new indoor amusement park, which combines cutting-edge technology and innovative entertainment elements, will bring unprecedented entertainment experiences and surprises to all visitors.”

Andrew Tsui, general manager of JOYPOLIS SPORTS HONG KONG, added, “We are thrilled to bring JOYPOLIS SPORTS to Hong Kong. With its mission “Sports for All Generations,” combined with the sportainment concept, unites the world’s top technology sports games to create a unique interactive experience for everyone. JOYPOLIS SPORTS is dedicated to offering exciting and fun entertainment for both locals and visitors. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, new to sports, or just looking to relax with friends, JOYPOLIS SPORTS has you covered. Our themed restaurant blends a healthy lifestyle with delicious food, providing a perfect spot to enjoy time with family and friends. Our goal is to become the leading sports social platform, and we believe the JOYPOLIS SPORTS Hong Kong flagship will set off a new wave of sportainment excitement across the city.”

Hong Kong – Pizza Hut Hong Kong has partnered with Edelman Hong Kong for a dynamic new campaign featuring their limited-edition ‘Torch Fries.’ The campaign includes an innovative social series that uses playful predictions to forecast the medal outcomes for Hong Kong athletes.

In this campaign, Pizza Hut has introduced a new social series titled ‘Frenchie Predictions,’ featuring a charismatic French presenter and his trusty fortune-telling companion, a French bulldog named Baguette, to predict whether Hong Kong’s athletes will win gold, silver, or bronze at the Games.

Baguette’s role involves selecting between Pizza Hut pizza boxes containing the ‘Torch Fries’ to determine the medal outcomes for Hong Kong’s beloved athletes, including Cheung Ka-long, Siobhan Haughey, and Vivian Kong.

The social series will air on Pizza Hut Hong Kong’s Instagram and Facebook channels, with hopes that Baguette’s lucky predictions will come true in the coming weeks.

Renee Chan, director of customer experience and marketing at Pizza Hut Hong Kong, said, “The Games always grip the city, and we didn’t want to let this pass. When you’re not an official sponsor you always need to get more innovative about how you show your support, and our limited-edition Torch Fries and Frenchie Predictions campaign does exactly that—in a playful and fun way.” 

Crystal Poon, integrated brand lead at Edelman Hong Kong, also stated, “When our athletes win, everybody and every brand reacts with joy. And so we wanted to get ahead and find a way to celebrate the outcomes before they even happened, and after Baguette correctly predicted the winner of the football game in Germany and the winning goal scorer, we knew what we had to do! .” 

The limited-edition ‘Torch Fries’ feature French fries and potato wedges wrapped in a garlic-infused oil-coated tortilla cone, designed to mimic the iconic Torch. Pizza Hut invites its fans to savour the excitement of the Games in a unique way with ‘Torch Fries.’

Hong Kong – Shenzhen-based digital banking leader WeBank has unveiled plans to establish its technology headquarters in Hong Kong, committing up to US$150 million to the venture and promising to create highly skilled technology jobs in the city.

The government has welcomed WeBank’s initiative, with the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) working together to assist in the establishment of the technology company’s headquarters in Hong Kong.

WeBank’s technology company headquarters in Hong Kong will serve as a base for its R&D activities and provide commercialising technology solutions for global markets. 

As a key participant, contributor, and beneficiary of the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong was chosen by WeBank for its vision, readiness to embrace frontier technologies, and vibrant fintech ecosystem. Additionally, Hong Kong’s well-established international financial services sector made it an ideal location for the bank’s new headquarters.

Alpha Lau, director-deneral of InvestHK, said, “The establishment of WeBank’s operation in Hong Kong has been the result of extensive co-ordination between the FSTB and InvestHK to ensure that the company is well positioned for success upon commencing its activities in our city. The numerous strategic enterprises that have recently announced the opening of international research and development (R&D) centres and headquarters in Hong Kong is clear evidence that our city possesses clear advantages in enabling globally scaled companies to achieve their ambitions. InvestHK warmly welcomes WeBank and remains fully committed to facilitating the establishment and growth of forward-thinking enterprises in our dynamic and vibrant business environment.”

Meanwhile, Li Nanqing, President of WeBank, shared, “Hong Kong has emerged as a centre of excellence in global business connectivity and financial technology innovation. It offers us an ideal environment to advance our innovation and expand our international footprint. We are excited to contribute to and benefit from the city’s dynamic fintech ecosystem, robust infrastructure, and strategic connectivity. We look forward to collaborating with local partners and stakeholders and attracting talent on this exciting next step of our journey.”

WeBank, serving over 4.5 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and nearly 400 million individuals in Mainland China, is renowned for its inclusive financial services. Recognised by the International Data Corporation as a global digital banking benchmark, WeBank excels in fintech innovation, particularly in AI, blockchain, cloud computing, and big data. To date, it has filed over 3,800 patent applications.