(Yicai) July 14 -- Zhu Min, former deputy governor of China’s central bank, Han Bicheng, founder of neurotechnology firm BrainCo, and Wang Xingxing, founder of Unitree Robotics, have joined the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers, a high-level advisory body to the Hong Kong government.

John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, recently held three lunch meetings with the advisory council to discuss policy direction and regional development, Yicai learned.

The appointments mark a shift in the council’s composition. Previous members included Victor Li Tzar-kuoi, chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings and son of tycoon Li Ka-shing; Fu Yuning, former chairman of China Resources Holdings; and Tang Xiaoou, the late founder of artificial intelligence firm SenseTime, who passed away in 2023. The council now has 34 members.

Established by Lee Ka-chiu in 2023, the CECA serves as a high-level consultative body and is organized into three sub-groups: high-quality economic and sustainable development, innovation and entrepreneurship, and regional and global collaboration. Public records show that the council has held at least three formal meetings with Lee Ka-chiu since its formation.

One of Lee Ka-chiu’s core governance goals is expanding Hong Kong’s securities market. The inclusion of Wang and Han, both from Hangzhou-based tech firms, could foster stronger cross-regional ties, potentially encouraging more mainland enterprises to list in Hong Kong and use it as a base for global expansion.

Lee cited the new members, highlighting Hong Kong’s unique advantages during the meetings, including its strong domestic and international connectivity, robust education and research infrastructure, and strategic geographic position. As an international financial center with free capital flows, Hong Kong remains a compelling destination for mainland firms seeking overseas growth, he said.

In April, Lee led a delegation to Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, where he met with executives from prominent tech firms and toured BrainCo and Unitree. The visit focused on developments in large language models, robotics, AI, gaming, and brain-computer interfaces.

Several mainland tech firms, including Unitree, are reportedly preparing for IPOs. Initial plans involve listing on the mainland, followed by further share sales in Hong Kong.

According to Wind data, nearly 210 companies -- mainly in technology, new consumption, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare -- are in the pipeline to list in Hong Kong as of July 7, signaling a potential surge in listings in the second half of the year.

Editor: Emmi Laine