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27 Aug 2026
For Immediate Release
HKGCC Chairman Jacob Kam (centre), CEO Patrick Yeung (left) and Director of Policy and Research Wendy Lam (right) presented the key findings of the Asian Cities Internationality Index 2026. The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) today launched the Asian Cities Internationality Index (ACII) 2026, reaffirming that Hong Kong continues to be Asia’s top international city and the region’s premier gateway for regional and global operations. Out of a maximum score of 100, Hong Kong ranked first with 74.6 (up from 73.7 in 2025). Singapore continued to hold the second-place position with a score of 72.6. In 2026, Hong Kong further strengthened its position across seven key dimensions, notably advancing from fourth to third place in ‘Innovation and Ideas.’ Complementing this hard data, survey respondents rated Hong Kong as Asia’s most international city. “By launching the ACII 2026, HKGCC provides a vital, data-driven tool to understand the shifting competitive landscape in Asia,” said HKGCC Chairman Jacob Kam. “Hong Kong’s top ranking proves our fundamental resilience and underscores that global businesses continue to view us as the ultimate bridge between East and West. The launch of the ACII 2026 is exceptionally timely as the industry submits its recommendations for the Five-Year Plan. It will provide the critical insights needed to guide our development during this landmark period.” The second edition of the ACII, launched by HKGCC and commissioned to independent research firm Ipsos, is designed to evaluate how effectively each city engages with global markets and operates as an international hub. The Index assesses multiple criteria through both quantitative and qualitative methods across seven core dimensions: Business and Economy, Quality of Life, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Innovation and Ideas, Human Capital Diversity, Cultural Interaction, and Government and Legal System for Business. Through this approach, the Index delivers a comprehensive report detailing each city’s competitive advantages. These findings help to shape strategic actionable policy and elevate Asia’s overall standing in the global economy. “From a broader perspective, the ACII provides the strategic insights necessary for Asian cities to collaborate and complement one another’s strengths, fostering a formidable regional economic cluster. We believe Hong Kong can play a leading role in advancing this regional economy, which is rightfully the world’s engine for growth—especially considering Asian economies are projected to account for approximately 60% of global GDP growth.*” Kam added.
Media inquiries: Please contact Mr Jonathan Man at 2823-1229 / [email protected]
About The Asian Cities Internationality Index (ACII) HKGCC commissioned Ipsos to conduct a study aimed at developing an independent, transparent and credible framework to evaluate the internationality of 11 Asian cities – Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo. The ACII 2026 study retains the 2025 weighting structure across the same seven dimensions to preserve year‑on‑year comparability, while refining the framework to place greater emphasis on qualitative insights and progress tracking. The framework now comprises 119 indicators, up from 113 in 2025, including 72 hard‑data and 47 survey‑based measures gathered from a survey of more than 1,100 local and expatriate business executives residing in the benchmarked cities, with new indicators added under “Quality of Life” and “Government and Legal System for Business” based on the Steering Committee input and respondents’ feedback from the 2025 study, ensuring the 2026 results remain broadly aligned while better capturing change, resilience and future competitiveness. For full report, please download here. About Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) For 165 years, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of business, growing together with Hong Kong and the business community. Our mission is to promote, represent and safeguard the interests of the business community in Hong Kong, and at the same time provide support, networks, training and business services to help the business community grow. For more details, please visit www.chamber.org.hk.
ANNEX: Drawing on the data-driven insights from the newly launched the Asian Cities Internationality Index (ACII) 2026, the Chamber has outlined targeted strategic priorities across seven key dimensions to help the city solidify its position as Asia’s premier international hub and regional business gateway. Strategic Priorities for Hong Kong’s Global Competitiveness: