Chinese mainland enterprises constitute an important force driving Hong Kong's economic development, John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Friday.

Addressing a spring reception held by the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprise Association, Lee noted that the number of companies in Hong Kong with overseas or Chinese mainland parent companies climbed to a historic 9,960 in 2024. Of these, 2,620 enterprises came from the Chinese mainland, accounting for over 26 percent, making it the largest source of non-local companies based in Hong Kong.

Lee emphasized that this demonstrates the strength of Chinese mainland enterprises and their positive role in Hong Kong's economic development, expressing hope that these enterprises will continue to support and participate in the development of the Northern Metropolis.

Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, said he hopes Chinese mainland enterprises will make good use of Hong Kong's unique advantages, continuously expand their investment in Hong Kong, optimize their business layouts, actively participate in the construction of the Northern Metropolis, and fully support Hong Kong in consolidating its status as a financial, shipping, and trade center, as well as in building an international innovation and technology center, thereby helping Hong Kong integrate better into the overall national development.