Unveiling Key Findings of the Asian Cities Internationality Index 2026
The HKGCC unveiled key findings from the Asian Cities Internationally Index (ACII) 2026 on 15 September, with Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung and Policy and Research Director Wendy Lam sharing details on the economic and business implications of the report. Members and leaders of international chambers attended to learn more about the Index’s core methodology and engage with recommendations on how to develop on its data-driven insights to navigate an evolving global marketplace.
The second edition of the ACII, developed by the HKGCC in partnership with independent research firm Ipsos, was launched to establish a transparent, credible framework to evaluate regional competitiveness and Asia-specific drivers of growth. This research measures the “internationality” of 11 different cities in Asia — Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo — across 7 different dimensions, covering diverse sectors ranging from Business and Economy and Quality of Life to Infrastructure and Connectivity and Human Capital Diversity.
During the presentation, Yeung and Lam detailed how a city’s “internationality” serves as a critical driver of supply chain resilience, global talent acquisition, and sustained capital flow. These evaluations are increasingly used as benchmarks by business leaders and policy makers, particularly when it comes to directing high-impact R&D investments, accelerating local innovation hubs, and implementing strategies to attract and retain top-tier talent.
Leveraging established methodologies, the ACII delivers a comprehensive report detailing each city’s specific competitive advantages and potential vulnerabilities. Guided by an independent steering committee of leading academics, business leaders and policymakers, the ACII 2026 found that Hong Kong continues to be Asia’s most international city, reaffirming its position as the region’s premier gateway for regional and global operations — closely followed by Singapore and Seoul.
Against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address, the findings highlight areas of improvement that should be addressed to further Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. By identifying key metrics where the city can still elevate its performance — such as attracting specialised global talent, accelerating green finance initiatives, and deepening cross-border technological integration — the Chamber aims to help shape strategic actionable policy and elevate Hong Kong and the Asian Cluster’s overall standing in the global economy.
