Since its earliest days, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) has been guided by a determination to bring together diverse perspectives in line with the city’s growing commercial ambitions. This spirit of openness and adaptability has defined the institution from the beginning and remains central to its identity to this day.  

The Foundation  

On 29 May 1861, 62 businessmen, comprising British, Indian, American, German, Danish, Jewish and French merchants, gathered at the Hong Kong Club to establish the HKGCC, making it the city’s oldest business organisation. Even from day one, its founding members reflected the diverse, international and cosmopolitan nature of Hong Kong. Among this founding group were representatives from modern-day homegrown global enterprises such as Standard Chartered Bank and Jardine Matheson.  

While Chinese merchants were not initially part of the Chamber due to their limited commercial presence at the time, they began to play an increasingly important role from the 1880s onwards. Sun Yee Hong, Lai Hing Hong and Tak On Bank were the three Chinese firms elected as the first Chinese members of the Chamber.  

At the time, Hong Kong was steadily laying the groundwork to emerge as a major commercial centre in Asia. As the region’s international trade presence grew, Hong Kong became a vital commercial link to Chinese Mainland. This expanding economic activity created the ideal environment for foundational business institutions, such as the HKGCC, to establish themselves.  

Against this backdrop, the Chamber served as a vital gateway for collaboration among the city’s diverse business stakeholders, helping to shape its economic direction and global outlook. The city’s deep‑water harbour and free‑port status uniquely positioned it as a premier global “middleman”, connecting influential trading houses and newly formed banks to facilitate the seamless flow of products between China and the West.  

This drive to serve Hong Kong and its community in a purposeful way was firmly set on track under the leadership of the first Chairman, Alexander Perceval. Formerly a partner at Jardine Matheson & Co., he helped articulate the Chamber’s far‑reaching mission to protect and promote commerce in the city.  

In 1894, the Bubonic Plague was a defining moment for the HKGCC, as it transitioned from a purely commercial entity to a critical mediator in a city-wide humanitarian crisis. The Chamber championed the voice of local Chinese residents to secure Government policy changes to support the frontline efforts against the devastating epidemic, showcasing a community spirit that has continued to shine through in more recent epidemics.   

These standards of advocacy and integrity not only reflected the needs of a young trading port finding its feet but also continue to serve as guiding principles for the HKGCC to this day. They have shaped the Chamber’s approach to representing the interests of the business community and engaging with policymakers.  

This resolve was evident in 1884, when the Chamber elected Thomas Jackson, Chief Manager of Hong Kong Bank, at a special general meeting, as its first Chamber Legislative Council representative.  

Nearly four decades later, the Chamber founded the Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association, reflecting the growing importance of shipping and port activity in Hong Kong’s expanding trade networks. Around the same time, the HKGCC was also designated by the Government as an official issuer of Certificates of Origin in Hong Kong. Today, the Chamber remains one of the few organisations authorised to perform this function, providing a critical service that helps Hong Kong businesses navigate international customs requirements and global trade agreements.  

The Post Wars Recovery  

Much like the rest of the world, Hong Kong entered a new era of transformation as the aftermath of the World Wars loomed large.  

In the post‑World War II years, the city demonstrated remarkable resilience and a capacity for reinvention, earning its place as one of the “Four Asian Tigers.”  

During these pivotal years of uncertainty, the Chamber remained a steady and proactive presence. Recognising the need for continuous skills upgrading and new knowledge to drive Hong Kong’s economic growth, it established an Evening School in 1951 to provide commercial training for employees of its member firms.  

More than a decade later, building on the Chamber’s insightful recommendations, the Government established the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to spearhead international trade co‑operation and promotion, following the Chamber’s earlier role in advancing Hong Kong’s export development through public relations initiatives.  

Beyond advancing trade and industry, the Chamber has prided itself on working closely with the city’s communities to foster a safe and inclusive environment for businesses and residents alike. This commitment was exemplified in 1973, when it partnered with the Hong Kong Police Force to launch the Good Citizen Award (GCA), recognising individuals whose courage helped prevent crime and foster social cohesion.  

Cultivating deep engagement with the community reflected the Chamber’s belief that social stability is fundamental to economic progress. This thinking formed the foundation of the HKGCC’s values as the city moved into a new phase of development.  

As Hong Kong transitioned from being a manufacturing hub to a services‑based economy centred on finance and logistics, the Chamber also reinvented itself, ushering in a new chapter of leadership and institutional expansion.  

An Era of Reconnecting & Recalibrating  

The 1980s marked a momentous period for the HKGCC. In 1984, the Chamber appointed its first Chinese Chairman, Jack Tang, and established a permanent headquarters at United Centre in Admiralty, located in the heart of Hong Kong’s business district. 

Half a decade later, the HKGCC demonstrated its forward-looking outlook by leading the formation of the Hong Kong Article Numbering Association (HKANA), now known as GS1 Hong Kong. The introduction of barcodes to the city marked a significant milestone in modernising the local retail and logistics sectors and strengthening supply chains in the city 

For Hong Kong, the approach of the new century marked a defining moment in its history. Britain and China signed the Joint Declaration, which set out the terms for Hong Kong’s return to the Mainland in 1997 under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework. This arrangement reinforced the city’s role as a bridge between China and the rest of the world. 

Following the handover, the city entered a period of recalibration in its economic interests and priorities. The Asian Financial Crisis had just dealt a severe blow to Hong Kong’s economy, significantly impacting its property and stock markets while testing currency stability.  

In the face of these challenges, the Chamber proactively sought out new opportunities and strategies to revitalise the city. Having identified the Chinese Mainland’s growing economic potential, HKGCC was a primary architect of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) in 2003. This landmark policy fundamentally changed how Hong Kong businesses accessed China and deepened economic integration between Hong Kong and the Mainland. 

Entering a New Transformational Landscape   

A strong sense of responsibility towards the community has long been at the forefront of the Chamber’s commitment to the city. When the SARS epidemic struck Hong Kong, the HKGCC played a pivotal role in supporting businesses by proposing a comprehensive recovery plan. The Chamber also demonstrated its dedication to society by supporting the “Business after SARS” variety show at Chek Lap Kok Airport.  

Nearly two decades later, the HKGCC once again stood in solidarity with the community as another pandemic disrupted Hong Kong and the world. The Covid‑19 pandemic sent shockwaves through global economies, with Hong Kong being no exception. Businesses across sectors were pushed to the brink as the world came to a halt.  

To alleviate pressure on the business community, the Chamber stepped forward by successfully lobbying the Government for two tranches of the Employment Support Scheme (ESS). The programme provided crucial financial assistance, enabling employers to retain staff who might otherwise have faced redundancy. Serving as the city’s trusted voice of business, the Chamber played a critical role in conveying industry needs and helping to maintain stability during times of profound uncertainty. Hong Kong’s resilience and indomitable spirit ultimately ensured a gradual but reinvigorated recovery.  

As the city emerged from the crisis, Hong Kong’s economy entered a period of reflection and recalibration. The pandemic left a lasting imprint on the business landscape, particularly across long‑standing pillars such as banking and finance. It became increasingly evident that the road ahead would require renewed thinking, fresh opportunities and a readiness to adapt – setting the stage for the next phase of economic transformation.  

Long recognised as an international financial centre and home to a vast number of multinational corporations, Hong Kong has consistently demonstrated a capacity to evolve in response to shifting global and regional dynamics. This adaptability became particularly evident in the aftermath of the pandemic, as the city increasingly turned its attention to nurturing a vibrant innovation ecosystem supporting technology‑driven enterprises and a new generation of ambitious entrepreneurs.  

Like the city it represents, the Chamber’s leadership and membership reflect this rich multiculturalism. As global business integration deepens, the HKGCC continues to transform in step with these changes.  

To support this evolving outlook, the Chamber continues to expand its international partnerships in a purposeful manner. In 2025, the HKGCC signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with chambers of commerce and business associations in Singapore, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kuwait, Sweden and Finland. These MoUs serve as frameworks for co‑operation, assisting businesses in forging new connections and navigating expanding global markets. These agreements add to a portfolio of over 60 MoUs signed with international business organisations, including Qatar and Kuwait, aimed at creating new opportunities for members.  

The Next Chapter  

At the same time, strengthening ties with the Chinese Mainland has remained a key priority for the HKGCC. China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan underscores Hong Kong’s importance, designating it as one of the region’s engines for high‑quality growth. The plan reinforces Hong Kong’s development vision as an international centre while strengthening its role in offshore Renminbi business, supply chain services and the advancement of green finance.   

The Chamber is actively gathering members’ views for Hong Kong’s first Five‑Year Plan, which will drive closer integration and contribute to the city’s and the nation’s broader development.  

Today, the Chamber brings together thousands of member organisations across a wide range of industries, collectively employing nearly one‑third of Hong Kong’s workforce. Supporting this broad scope of engagement are more than 20 committees and working groups, led by distinguished business executives, professionals, bankers and industrialists, who help shape and steer the Chamber’s priorities and activities.  

The HKGCC’s role as Hong Kong’s “Voice of Business” is firmly rooted in its diverse membership. Their collective expertise, perspectives and energy continue to drive the Chamber’s advocacy and services, enabling it to act with authority and purpose in shaping the city’s future.  

Grounded in heritage and inspired by innovation, HKGCC will continue to unlock opportunities and help build a resilient, innovative and sustainable future for Hong Kong in the decades ahead.