Hong Kong has made a striking comeback as a global fundraising hub, thanks to Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL)’s record-breaking $4.6 billion initial public offering (IPO). As the world’s largest EV battery maker, CATL’s debut underlines the deepening synergy between technological innovators from the Chinese mainland and international finance.
IPO Market Rebounds from ‘Cold Snap’ to Global Leadership
After a two-year slump driven by geopolitical tensions and regulatory uncertainties, Hong Kong’s IPO market roared back in 2025. According to LSEG data, new listings and secondary offerings raised $7.73 billion—a sixfold rise year-on-year—restoring the city to the top of global IPO fundraising rankings it last held in 2021.
Looking at the decade from 2014 to 2024, Hong Kong led the world with a cumulative $303 billion in IPO proceeds, outpacing NASDAQ and NYSE, said Lu Chenjian, vice president of HKEX, at a Shenzhen-Hong Kong financial cooperation forum.
Tech Drives Financial Renewal
CATL’s blockbuster listing showcases the pivotal role of tech champions from the Chinese mainland in revitalizing Hong Kong’s capital markets. Shares surged 16.4% on debut, despite U.S.–Chinese mainland trade tensions and a U.S. Department of Defense blacklist. Global institutions oversubscribed the deal 15.2 times, while retail investors pitched in with 151 times coverage—a clear sign of strong demand for strategic sectors in the Chinese mainland.
"This listing means our wider integration into the global capital market and a new starting point for us to promote the global zero-carbon economy," said CATL Chairman Robin Zeng. The company plans to build a European battery plant serving clients such as BMW and Volkswagen, blending technology transfer with financial globalization.
Policy Momentum Fuels Listing Surge
The resurgence owes much to policy support. In 2024, the Chinese mainland’s securities regulator rolled out measures—streamlined approvals, tax incentives and more—to help top mainland firms list in Hong Kong. As a result, A-share giants like Midea, Hengrui and Sanhua have sped up their offshore listings to tap into global capital for R&D and overseas expansion.
So far in 2025, over 20 A-share companies have filed IPO applications in Hong Kong, including pharma leader Hengrui and EV component maker Junshan Electronics, according to Caijing New Media.
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Hong Kong's IPO resurgence: Tech-capital synergy forges win-win path
cgtn.com
