Hong Kong targets gold trading, FPS-UnionPay link to boost yuan use

Hong Kong will expand the use of the yuan in areas including gold trading and cross-border payments, as policy blueprints call for the city’s biggest push yet to internationalise the Chinese currency.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday devoted part of the city’s first five-year plan and his annual policy address to developing a gold trading ecosystem and creating a regional intellectual property trading centre in the city.

“We will consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre, and stay committed to our global positioning,” the city leader said.

“Hong Kong will deepen the development of its global offshore renminbi business and capital market, develop an international asset and wealth management centre and international risk management centre, enhance the securities market and expand fixed-income and commodity trading.”