HONG KONG -- As an international financial center, Hong Kong can establish smooth financing channels for green capital and the hydrogen industry, and help build a global hub for hydrogen exchanges and cooperation, a senior official with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said.

With the unique advantage of connecting the Chinese mainland with the world, Hong Kong is set to play a role in regulatory alignment by establishing standards and certification systems to connect domestic and international markets, Poon Kwok-ying, director of the Electrical and Mechanical Services of the HKSAR government, said while speaking at the International Hydrogen Development Symposium here.

Also speaking at the symposium, Alpha Lau, director-general of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), highlighted that the city's hydrogen ecosystem is gaining real traction.

Over the past three years, InvestHK has successfully attracted several leading hydrogen energy firms to establish a presence in Hong Kong, Lau said, noting that a number of these firms have already been listed in Hong Kong, with funds raised totaling over HK$2.5 billion.

The symposium is part of the ongoing Hydrogen Week in Hong Kong. During the week, a series of diversified programs are being held, including thematic forums, an industry exhibition and public education, fully demonstrating Hong Kong's distinctive role and position in aligning with the national hydrogen strategy.

China has made significant strides in advancing policies for hydrogen development in recent years. In March 2022, Chinese authorities released a plan on the development of hydrogen energy for the 2021-2035 period, outlining the establishment of a hydrogen supply system and application promotion goals.