The Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Paul Chan, stated in the Legislative Council on the 2nd that the forecast for the growth of real gross domestic product for the whole year of 2025 will remain at 2% to 3%. The Hong Kong economy performed steadily in the first quarter of this year, with a real GDP growth rate of 3.1% year-on-year. The latest data shows that Hong Kong's economic momentum continued at the beginning of the second quarter. In April, the overall export value of goods increased by 14.7% year-on-year, and the number of visitors to Hong Kong increased by 13% year-on-year to 3.85 million. During the Labor Day Golden Week in mainland China, the number of visitors to Hong Kong increased by 22% year-on-year to 1.1 million. Chen Maobo stated that among the three drivers of economic growth, foreign trade has performed well, with overall exports of goods increasing by 8.4% year-on-year. At the same time, with the further increase in the number of visitors to Hong Kong, the increase in cross-border transportation volume, and the active cross-border financial and fundraising activities, the overall service output has also significantly expanded by 6.6% year-on-year. In terms of investment, the overall investment expenditure increased by 2.8% year-on-year. In terms of private consumption, it decreased by 1.1% year-on-year due to changes in citizens' consumption patterns. Chen Maobo said that as of May 30th, the total balance of the banking system had risen to HKD 173.4 billion, significantly higher than the HKD 44.8 billion at the end of last year. In terms of the stock market, benefiting from breakthroughs in the development of artificial intelligence in mainland China and central support for economic measures, the Hang Seng Index rose significantly in the first quarter. As of May 30th, the Hang Seng Index was at 23290 points, up 16.1% from the end of last year. Faced with the continuous fluctuations in the external environment, Chan Mo po stated that the SAR government will continue to focus on consolidating market fundamentals, promoting economic transformation through reform and innovation, exploring new markets and opportunities, and accelerating the development of the northern metropolitan area, enhancing economic momentum and capacity, and empowering economic development. He believes that as long as we have firm confidence, maintain openness, adapt flexibly, and play the dual roles and functions of a "super contact person" and a "super value-added person" well, seize new opportunities for national development, Hong Kong will definitely be able to open up a new chapter in the changing situation and achieve high-quality and sustainable development. (New Society)