Hong Kong’s financial secretary Paul Chan tested positive for Covid during a visit to Saudi Arabia, just days before the start of the city’s banking summit next week.
Hong Kong financial secretary Paul Chan tested positive for Covid with a rapid test in Riyadh, according to a government statement, with the rest of the planned trip cancelled. Chan will stay in Riyadh for a short while and «seek to comply with relevant health requirements and return to Hong Kong as soon as possible».
Chan’s time in Riyadh is part of a six-day trip for Hong Kong to woo investments from the Middle East, including in Bahrain.
Down to the Wire
Chan’s Covid hit is untimely as Hong Kong’s global financial summit is scheduled to kick off next week on November 1 with expectations of 200 participants from the world’s biggest banks and asset managers. The summit, which was recently extended by one day, is a key event for Hong Kong as the financial hub attempts to reconnect with the world after three years of grueling Covid restrictions.
The city is also hosting its fintech week starting on October 31, one day before the banking summit.
