Institutions have not made any major moves from Hong Kong as yet, but they are being circumspect even about discussing contingency plans as the topic is sensitive and many hope to expand in mainland China.
Busan in South Korea is offering tax breaks and rent free offices to financial firms, while Taiwan’s top regulator told Reuters he hoped the island’s rule of law and democratic values would attract business.
The political upheaval in Hong Kong has created an opportunity for Australia and Sydney to become a stronger regional financial centre,” Senator Andrew Bragg wrote to Australia’s Treasurer this month, proposing policy changes.
“Tokyo will, frankly, struggle to steal significant market share from, let alone replace, Hong Kong,” said Steven Tran, a partner at law firm Mayer Brown in Hong Kong, who was previously based in Tokyo for four years.