- HKEX hosts a launch ceremony today to kick off its photo-led exhibition: “A Place to Connect: Our 40 Years at Exchange Square"
- The 4-week exhibition features five themed zones with rare photographs, archival footage, and interactive experiences
- HKEX will expand community engagement through the elevated HKEX Connect Hall, and a new museum planned for 2027
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) today (Monday) launched "A Place to Connect: Our 40 Years at Exchange Square", a photo-led exhibition celebrating the development of Hong Kong's capital markets over the four decades since the establishment of Hong Kong’s modern stock exchange.
HKEX hosted a special event to kick off the four-week exhibition, attended by distinguished guests that included Hong Kong Acting Financial Secretary, Michael Wong, as well as legislators, market regulators and leaders from the financial community. Former HKEX chairmen Ronald Arculli and CK Chow, and executives from the exhibition’s strategic partner, Hongkong Land, were also in attendance.
The programme featured a gong-strike ceremony and a fireside chat between HKEX Chairman, Carlson Tong, Legislative Council Member for Financial Services, Robert Lee, and veteran financial journalist, Gina San, who reflected on the transformation of Hong Kong’s capital markets in the years following the launch of the unified Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK) at Exchange Square in 1986.
HKEX Chairman, Carlson Tong, said: "For four decades, Exchange Square has stood at the heart of Hong Kong's capital markets, witnessing Hong Kong's rise as a leading international financial centre. Throughout this journey, the Exchange, its markets and our participants have supported Hong Kong’s economic development by connecting capital with opportunity and linking China with the world. Our commitment to establish HKEX's permanent headquarters at Exchange Square reflects our long-term confidence in Hong Kong and our determination to support the continued success and competitiveness of its financial markets."
HKEX Chief Executive Officer, Bonnie Y Chan, said: “Exchange Square is more than the home of HKEX. It is where markets, businesses, investors and communities come together. Through this exhibition, we are sharing the stories, people and moments that have shaped Hong Kong’s capital markets over the past 40 years, while looking ahead to new ways of engaging with the public through our future headquarters, enhanced HKEX Connect Hall and new HKEX museum. Together, these initiatives will help bring Hong Kong's market history to life for future generations."
Hongkong Land Group Chief Executive, Michael T. Smith said: “Hongkong Land is immensely proud for Exchange Square in Central to have been SEHK’s home since day one. Over the past four decades, our stories have been inextricably linked as we partnered hand-in-hand to build the ecosystem supporting Hong Kong as an international financial centre. Today, as HKEX establishes its permanent headquarters at Exchange Square, this investment represents a profound, mutual vote of confidence in Central and in Hong Kong’s future. We look forward to building the next forty years together.”
The exhibition, hosted at the Rotunda on the lobby of One and Two Exchange Square, traces the evolution of Exchange Square and Hong Kong's capital markets through five themed zones, featuring rare photographs, newspaper clippings, archival footage and market artefacts, exploring the Exchange’s journey from the trading-floor era to today's globally connected marketplace.
Exchange Square is a commercial development at the heart of Central that was purpose built to house the Exchange’s Trading Hall following the merger of four local exchanges into SEHK. The Trading Hall began operations in April 1986, and was transformed in 2018 into HKEX Connect Hall, which now plays host to the iconic gong strike ceremonies among other financial community events.
Looking ahead, HKEX is committed to connecting Hong Kong’s capital markets with the wider community, and its headquarters at Exchange Square and enhanced HKEX Connect Hall will create more opportunities for public engagement. In 2027, a new museum will offer expanded exhibitions and interactive experiences showcasing Hong Kong’s market development and financial heritage for future generations.
Notes to editors
Exhibition: “A Place to Connect: Our 40 Years of Exchange Square”
Dates: 28 September to 23 October 2026
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (except for 28 September which will open to public from 3pm)
Venue: The Rotunda, 3/F, Exchange Square One and Two, Central
Admission: Free and open to the public
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
Ends