Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is pleased to host the 2026 Asian and Oceanian Stock Exchanges Federation (AOSEF) General Assembly in Hong Kong this week, convening 18 regional exchanges* to drive closer collaboration on cross-border connectivity, and strengthen regional market liquidity and resilience.
The three-day event welcomes over 100 senior exchange leaders from across the region, with the General Assembly (Assembly) held today (Wednesday) at HKEX Connect Hall, to be followed by a Gala Dinner and cultural excursion activities.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivered a keynote address at the Assembly, with welcome remarks from HKEX Chairman, Carlson Tong, and HKEX Chief Executive Officer, Bonnie Y Chan. The Assembly also included a presentation by HKEX Head of Markets Gregory Yu, highlighting Hong Kong’s role in connecting Asia’s capital markets, alongside panel discussions featuring a number of distinguished speakers.
HKEX Chairman, Carlson Tong, said: “With global capital pivoting towards Asia, exchanges across our region have a unique opportunity to strengthen cross-market connectivity and shape the next chapter of robust and sustainable growth. By working together, we can create richer product ecosystems, advance market access and develop efficient infrastructure that helps build liquidity within Asia.”
HKEX Chief Executive Officer, Bonnie Y Chan, said: “Leveraging Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector and our unique connectivity with the Chinese Mainland, we see a real opportunity to bring Asian and Chinese markets closer together. HKEX is focused on developing the right products, platforms and partnerships that make two-way access easier and more meaningful for investors and issuers across the region. AOSEF provides a unique platform for exchanges to come together, align priorities and advance efforts to build a more connected, scalable, and future-ready market ecosystem. This, in turn, deepens investor engagement, broadens issuer access, and supports long term growth across the region.”
In recent weeks, this connectivity-led approach is already translating into tangible outcomes, including an MOU with Bursa Malaysia, two co-branded indices launched in partnership with Bursa Malaysia and Korea Exchange (KRX), and five licensing agreements based on these co-branded indices to support ETF issuance in Hong Kong—demonstrating HKEX’s ongoing commitment to innovation and collaboration in Asia’s financial markets.
The Assembly is taking place as global investors are increasingly pivoting towards Asia’s capital markets in search of diversified growth, deeper liquidity and resilient long-term opportunities. At the start of 2025, investor interest in Asia reached its highest level in years, with allocations rising noticeably from 2024. Beyond external inflows, momentum is also building within the region, with intra-regional investment over the past decade tripling to around US$1.7 trillion1 in 2024, reflecting a marked rise in Asia-to-Asia equity holdings.
During the Assembly, HKEX affirmed its commitment to strengthening regional connectivity, leveraging AOSEF as a key platform for collaboration among member exchanges. The discussions focused on establishing frameworks that support cross-market listings, joint product development such as indices, ETFs, and thematic solutions, and enhancements to facilitate cross-border capital flows. Alignment with global standards and exploration of emerging opportunities like carbon markets were also highlighted.
The next AOSEF General Assembly in 2027 will be hosted by The National Equities Exchange and Quotations in Beijing.
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Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers the keynote address.
HKEX Chairman Carlson Tong delivers the welcome remarks.
HKEX CEO Bonnie Y Chan delivers the opening remarks.
HKEX Head of Markets Gregory Yu gives a keynote presentation on Hong Kong’s role as an IFC in fostering connectivity across Asia-Pacific capital markets.
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HKEX hosted leaders from 18 regional exchanges at the 2026 AOSEF General Assembly to align priorities, advance cross market access, and deepen liquidity and resilience across Asia.
Note:
1. Asia Development Bank's Asian Economic Integration Report 2026
*Appendix: AOSEF Members
- Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX)
- Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC. (DSE)
- Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX)
- Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX)
- Japan Exchange Group, Inc. (JPX)
- Korea Exchange (KRX)
- Bursa Malaysia Berhad (BM)
- Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE)
- The National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ)
- The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE)
- Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE)
- Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE)
- Singapore Exchange Ltd. (SGX)
- Taipei Exchange (TPEx)
- Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE)
- The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)
- Vietnam Exchange (VNX)
- The Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan (RSEB) was welcomed as a new member of AOSEF
About HKEX
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is a publicly-traded company (HKEX Stock Code: 388) and one of the world’s leading global exchange groups, offering a range of equity, derivative, commodity, fixed income and other financial markets, products and services, including the London Metal Exchange.
As a superconnector and gateway between East and West, HKEX facilitates the two-way flow of capital, ideas and dialogue between China and the rest of the world, through its pioneering Connect schemes, increasingly diversified product ecosystem and its deep, liquid and international markets.
HKEX is a purpose-led organisation which, across its business and through the work of HKEX Foundation, seeks to connect, promote and progress its markets and the communities it supports for the prosperity of all.
www.hkexgroup.com
About AOSEF
The Asian and Oceanian Stock Exchanges Federation (AOSEF) was established in 1982, at the initiative of Tokyo Stock Exchange, under the name the East Asian Stock Exchanges Conference, with the aim of promoting information exchange and mutual assistance among member exchanges for the development of regional securities markets.
Following an expansion of its membership, the organization adopted its current name in 2005. Since its establishment in 1982, JPX has served as the Secretariat, and AOSEF has conducted a wide range of activities and events across Asia and Oceania.
In recent years, AOSEF has focused on online‑based activities, including providing virtual forums for discussion and hosting webinars on topics of common interest among member exchanges.
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