(Yicai Global) Jan. 7 -- The Hong Kong Stock Exchange needs to adopt the latest technologies to more effectively manage stocks, bonds and commodities in the global market, according to its Chief Executive Charles Li.

The HKEX will focus on enhancing and diversifying its connectivity capabilities over the next decade, Li said on his personal blog yesterday, adding that this will reinforce the bourse's relevance in both eastern and western markets.

Hong Kong has been the preferred offshore funding hub for Chinese mainland companies since 1993, and firms from all over the world have raised a total HKD2.3 trillion (USD296 billion) there over the past 10 years, more than any other stock exchange on the planet. Most of the companies listed in Hong Kong are from the Chinese mainland.

The special administrative region's role will become even more prominent over the next 10 years under the "one country, two systems" principle, he added, referencing the mechanism that allows Hong Kong to operate an independent economic and administrative system while still being part of China.

Li said as far back as 2017 that China was already rich and strong and needed a "unique Hong Kong" rather than "another Shanghai, Shenzhen or Guangzhou."

The HKEX has been continually cementing its ties with the mainland and via its stock connect programs in Shanghai and Shenzhen, which have helped non-mainland investors over the past five years pay CNY1 trillion (USD145 billion) for stocks that are now worth over CNY1.4 trillion.

Editor: James Boynton