The data released by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government recently shows that Hong Kong's gross domestic product for the whole year of 2024 will increase by 2.5% in real terms year-on-year, which is in line with expectations. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong believe that Hong Kong's economic growth momentum was impressive last year. In the new year, with strong support from the government, Hong Kong is expected to further leverage the institutional advantages of "one country, two systems" and use new momentum to promote steady economic progress. Hong Kong Legislative Council member Yan Gang told reporters that, in the face of external uncertainty, thanks to multiple measures taken by the central government to benefit Hong Kong, the Hong Kong economy achieved steady growth in 2024, demonstrating the proactive and pragmatic efforts of the SAR government to promote economic development and benefit people's livelihoods with the joint support of all sectors of society. Xue Junsheng, Head of Economic Research Department and Chief Economist of Hang Seng Bank, stated that Hong Kong's economic growth accelerated in the fourth quarter of last year, reflecting the sustained recovery of the tourism industry and the resilience of foreign trade. Industry insiders pointed out that the improvement in economic momentum in the fourth quarter was largely due to a series of measures introduced by the central government to benefit Hong Kong. Among them, Shenzhen has implemented the "one visa, multiple travel" policy for tourism to Hong Kong, injecting new vitality into the Hong Kong economy and driving the growth of related industries such as catering and retail. In addition, measures such as expanding the scope of "individual travel" cities from mainland China to Hong Kong and increasing the tax-free limit for luggage and items carried by mainland residents entering the mainland from Hong Kong have effectively promoted cross-border economic activities. At the beginning of the Lunar Year of the Snake, multiple industries in Hong Kong have achieved a good start. Seven days before the Chinese New Year holiday in mainland China, nearly 1.25 million visitors visited Hong Kong, with over 440 mainland tour groups on the third day of the Lunar New Year, setting a record for the highest number of mainland tour groups visiting Hong Kong in a single day. From New Year's Eve to the fifth day of the first lunar month, non mainland tourists increased by 17% compared to last year's Lunar New Year. Looking ahead to 2025, industry insiders believe that Hong Kong has a strong advantage of relying on the motherland. The implementation of active policies by the country to boost the economy will help enhance market confidence and benefit various economic sectors in Hong Kong. Associate Professor Zhuang Tailiang from the Department of Economics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong believes that Hong Kong's real estate and stock markets have performed well recently. In January of this year, both the volume and price of Hong Kong's property transactions increased. He believes that under the global trend of declining interest rates in 2025, Hong Kong's financial market will further recover, and the economic growth momentum will be stronger than last year. Wen Tianna, CEO of Hong Kong Boda Capital International, said that the strengthening of connectivity in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area brings new opportunities to Hong Kong during its economic transformation period. It is expected that by 2025, collaboration with the mainland in finance, logistics, and technology will inject momentum into the Hong Kong economy. Yan Gang believes that Hong Kong can leverage the platform of an international financial center, integrate the research and development capabilities of higher education institutions, and work together with enterprises to create an innovative technology industrialization advantage that integrates industry, academia, and research, making Hong Kong an important component of the national and even global innovation and technology industry chain. (New Society)