On the first trading day of 2026, Hong Kong stocks welcomed a "good start"; According to S&P Global Data, Hong Kong's business environment in the fourth quarter of 2025 achieved its best quarterly performance in two years, with widespread improvement in local and export market demand... The boost in capital confidence and the return of business vitality further highlight the magnetic attraction effect of Hong Kong's global business "headquarters gravity field". In recent years, a large number of international organizations and multinational institutions have chosen to establish headquarters, core hubs, or regional business centers in Hong Kong. From commercialization of intellectual property rights to international dispute resolution, from upgrading shipping hubs to exploring green transformation, Hong Kong has once again become a key node in the global economic network, thanks to its unique institutional advantages, superior location endowment, and abundant ecological vitality. In 2014, the preparatory team of the International Intellectual Property Commercialization Council (IIPCC) finalized the location of its headquarters in Hong Kong. Jiang Song'en, co-founder and director of the Council of Chinese Americans, firmly stated, "The global landscape is accelerating change, and Hong Kong's unique advantage of being connected to the outside world gives it enormous potential to serve the global community." The core mission of this global non-governmental and non-profit organization is to promote the transformation of intellectual property into commercial value. During the preparation phase, the team gathered professionals from Europe and America, and after multiple rounds of consideration, ultimately chose to settle in Hong Kong. Jiang Song'en recalled that during the initial stage of the establishment, the organization did not seek assistance from the SAR government and successfully completed registration based solely on professional advice. The sound legal environment and international service system in Hong Kong have cleared many obstacles for us. In addition, the booming commercial and technological innovation vitality in mainland China and the increasingly perfect intellectual property protection system are highly compatible with the organizational philosophy. Rooted in Hong Kong for over a decade, Jiang Song'en has witnessed the vitality of this city as an intellectual property hub. In 2025, the organization will collaborate with the World Intellectual Property Organization to promote relevant work in the field of trade secrets, relying on dozens of branches worldwide to promote grassroots intellectual property concepts, participating in intellectual property finance affairs of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and jointly organizing annual intellectual property conferences with universities and the legal community. Jiang Song'en believes that the accelerated construction of the northern metropolitan area in Hong Kong is expected to generate a large number of intellectual property achievements, and the resources of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area can provide strong support; After promoting the mutual recognition and connection of intellectual property standards, Hong Kong can leverage its advantages as an international financial center to finance innovative achievements and achieve efficient linkage between finance and intellectual property. Under the framework of the "the Belt and Road" initiative, the radiation role of the Hong Kong headquarters has become increasingly prominent. Jiang Song'en once encountered a Malaysian developer whose patents were lost due to insufficient local knowledge and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This strengthened his belief: "Using Hong Kong as a window, we can share China's successful experience in the field of intellectual property rights with more countries in the global South, so that intellectual property rights can go beyond legal texts and truly promote business development and improve people's well-being." On October 20, 2025, the first council meeting of the International Mediation Institute was held, marking the official opening of this organization that fills the gap in international mediation mechanisms. Its headquarters is located in a historic building in Hong Kong, which was built in the 1930s and was once the old Wan Chai Police Station. A building that carries the memory of the city has transformed into an elegant and bright international mediation hub. The choice of Hong Kong as the headquarters cannot be separated from the unique advantages of 'One Country, Two Systems'. ”The first Secretary General of the International Mediation Institute, Zheng Ruohua, said that Hong Kong's highly internationalized environment, pioneering spirit, and "super liaison" role can continuously empower the development of the institution; And a complete legal environment has laid a solid foundation for its stable operation. From the joint statement issued by China and multiple countries in 2022 to promote the establishment, to the landing of the preparatory office in Hong Kong in early 2023; From the signing of the International Mediation Court Convention by 33 countries in May 2025 to the official establishment of the first Council in October, this intergovernmental international organization has completed preparations and implementation in just about three years, with remarkable speed. At present, 38 countries have signed the convention, 10 countries have completed the ratification process, and two sets of core mediation rules have officially come into effect. The International Court of Mediation aims to mediate commercial disputes between countries, between countries and foreign investors, and internationally based on the wishes of all parties involved. Compared to adversarial procedures, mediation can eliminate differences through flexible adjustment of plans, ensure the continuous progress of investment projects, and achieve a win-win situation. Zheng Ruohua emphasized that this low-cost and efficient dispute resolution mechanism is particularly in line with the needs of countries in the global South. Hong Kong, as a financial and trade center that gathers many multinational corporations, as well as an international legal and dispute resolution service center in the Asia Pacific region that is being vigorously developed, is an ideal platform for multilateral negotiations. Hong Kong is not only an important international shipping center, but also an international trade and financial center. The combination of multiple advantages gives it unique competitiveness in the field of green shipping, and it is expected to rise as a promising center for green marine fuel refueling and trading. ”Emmanuel Grimaldi, the President of the International Chamber of Shipping, is looking forward to this. Relying on the unique advantages of "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong combines the vitality of the mainland market with the institutional convenience of the international rule system and common law framework, becoming an excellent hub for internal and external communication, attracting a large number of international shipping and maritime headquarters to gather. At present, the global shipping industry is at a crossroads of trade reshaping and green transformation, with geopolitical conflicts, anti globalization, energy transformation and other challenges intertwined. Hong Kong's open cooperation and pragmatic innovation attitude inject stability and confidence into the industry. This confidence stems more from Hong Kong's profound shipping heritage and resource linkage capabilities. This place has complete port facilities, a gathering group of ship owners, and a mature maritime service ecosystem. It is backed by the world's largest shipbuilding country and has production capacity and price advantages in green fuels such as methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, "said Grimaldi. Hong Kong is the world's fourth largest ship registry, second largest marine protection and indemnity insurance center, and one of the four major international maritime arbitration centers. The detention rate of its registered ships in global port state supervision inspections remains at a low level of 0.69%, far below the global average of 3.30%. In November 2025, Hong Kong will establish the first local headquarters of the Shipowners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, further improving the marine insurance ecosystem. The certainty of policies provides a solid guarantee for decarbonization in the shipping industry. The Hong Kong SAR government has made efforts in policy guidance, regulatory optimization, and tax incentives from multiple dimensions through documents such as the policy address and the Action Plan for Green Marine Fuel Refueling. Grimaldi hopes that Hong Kong can continue to upgrade its port and shore power facilities, deeply integrate the advantages of the Greater Bay Area industrial chain, and work together with other ports in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area to make the blueprint for green shipping take root. (New Society)