In a year when capital is moving faster than diplomacy, two of the world’s most discreet financial hubs chose a quieter venue to compare notes: a closed-door meeting room in Switzerland’s capital.
Hong Kong and Switzerland held the eighth Hong Kong–Switzerland Financial Dialogue in Bern on Jan. 29, as regulators from both sides sought to deepen cooperation on financial stability, sustainable finance and emerging technologies at a time of rising geopolitical and market uncertainty.
The dialogue was co-organised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) under the Swiss Federal Department of Finance, according to an official statement.
It was chaired by Darryl Chan, deputy chief executive of the HKMA, and Christoph König, deputy state secretary of the SIF.
Representatives from the Swiss National Bank, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, and the HKMA also took part.
Officials exchanged views on regional and domestic economic outlooks, policy challenges, and areas of potential collaboration, with discussions spanning sustainable finance, financial technology, and market connectivity, the statement said.
The dialogue comes as both jurisdictions seek to reinforce their positions as international financial centres amid tighter global liquidity, regulatory fragmentation, and rapid advances in digital finance.
Following the closed-door talks, regulators and industry leaders joined a financial seminar co-hosted by the Swiss Bankers Association and the Hong Kong Private Wealth Management Association.
The seminar focused on private-sector perspectives, including the growing use of artificial intelligence in banking, developments in digital assets, and cross-border opportunities and constraints facing financial institutions operating between Asia and Europe.
Participants also discussed how regulatory clarity and interoperability could support innovation while maintaining financial stability, according to people familiar with the discussions.
The Hong Kong–Switzerland dialogue underscores a broader trend among established financial hubs to pursue bilateral regulatory alignment even as global rule-making becomes more fragmented.
For Hong Kong, closer engagement with Switzerland offers access to Europe’s private banking expertise and sustainable finance frameworks.
For Switzerland, deeper ties with Hong Kong provide a gateway to Asian capital flows, digital-asset experimentation, and fast-growing wealth markets.