“I believe the 21st century will be the Asian century. If this region is to be the engine of global economic growth, the importance of Hong Kong cannot be undermined.”

“Even if you try to push Hong Kong out of the picture, it is impossible because Hong Kong is unique.”

The city has been caught in the crossfire between China and the West in recent years, especially after Beijing imposed the national security law in 2020.

Geopolitical tensions, combined with a now-abated exodus of talent and a shaky economic recovery after the pandemic, had raised questions among some about whether Hong Kong could maintain its position as a global financial centre.

Among the most controversial voices was that of American economist Stephen Roach, who had previously claimed that “Hong Kong is finished”.

Evcin dismissed such labels as “unfair and unjust” and said that since his posting to Hong Kong 11 months ago, he felt the city had remained global and free.

“In my definition, Hong Kong is a global magnet, a global attraction,” he said. “If you look at the people who live in Hong Kong … they are positive and full of hope for the future of Hong Kong.”

“I believe this should be the vision that the global economy and stakeholders should be focused on, not these grey, artificial clouds.”

According to a survey conducted in June by Singapore-headquartered United Overseas Bank, 62 percent of Hong Kong companies surveyed said the current business environment was somewhat or very positive.

In July, InvestHK, the agency responsible for attracting foreign investment, said it had helped 322 mainland Chinese and foreign companies set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong in the first six months of the year, an increase of 43 percent year-on-year.

Amid growing concerns about multinational companies moving headquarters to regional rival Singapore, the American Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 business climate survey found that 78 percent of respondents had no plans to move their headquarters out of Hong Kong in the next three years, compared to just 48 percent in 2022.

Evcin said a diversity of financial centers in the Asia-Pacific region is not necessarily a bad thing, without directly mentioning Singapore.

He also suggested using the word “complementarity” to describe the relationship instead of “rivalry.”

“To have a more solid and comprehensive Asia-Pacific region, it may be good to have diversified, different centers,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean Hong Kong loses anything.”

Hong Kong retained many of its unique advantages, including its common law system, high-quality legal services, widespread use of English and its “free trade mentality”, he added.

The envoy also believed that Hong Kong has the opportunity to carve out a role as a “think tank” for the Greater Bay Area, highlighting major government projects such as the Northern Metropolis and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park.

The Bay Area represents Beijing’s ambitious plan to transform Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland cities into an integrated high-tech economic metropolis by 2035.

Hong Kong’s logistics know-how and technology, as well as its innovation-focused higher education system, will also attract more talent from the Bay Area and around the world to Hong Kong, Evcin said.

“I am convinced that Hong Kong will retain its importance and continue to be a center of attraction thanks to its absolute advantages,” he said.