Hong Kong and Shenzhen Forge AI Alliance to Build Global Fintech Hub

One's a global financial giant, the other's a tech titan—and they're finally syncing up. Hong Kong and Shenzhen are deepening their cooperation to integrate artificial intelligence into financial services, aiming to establish a world-class fintech hub. According to the South China Morning Post, this synergy is set to redefine the economic landscape of the Greater Bay Area.

The Strategic Roadmap for a Hong Kong Shenzhen Fintech Hub

Speaking on January 15, 2026, at the China Conference: Greater Bay Area in Qianhai, Joseph Chan Ho-lim, undersecretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, highlighted Hong Kong's role as a 'superconnector'. He stated that the city would leverage its financial expertise to support Shenzhen's industrial finance goals, creating a unified ecosystem for innovation.

The initiative encourages Hong Kong-based firms to set up subsidiaries in Shenzhen, while mainland tech companies are invited to utilize Hong Kong’s capital markets. This bidirectional flow is expected to accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge financial technologies.

AI Integration and Talent Mobility

Xiao Ting, chairman of Bank of Communications (Hong Kong), emphasized that AI and finance are mutually empowering. By utilizing large-scale financial datasets to train more efficient AI models, the region aims to lead in automated wealth management and risk assessment.

A crucial part of this integration is talent recognition. Following the launch of a dual-qualification bridging program in Q4 2025, both cities are working to ensure that banking and tech professionals can move seamlessly across the border. This move addresses the growing demand for experts who understand both the regulatory framework of Hong Kong and the tech-driven environment of Shenzhen.