Hong Kong stock markets will continue trading during typhoons, starting Sept. 23

Source: CNBC
Author: Lim Hui Jie

HONG KONG, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: A taxi crosses an empty intersection in the Central business district during a No. 8 Storm signal raised for Typhoon Kompasu, the 18th typhoon of this year, on October 13, 2021 in Hong Kong, China.

Hong Kong's financial markets will continue trading even during typhoons and extreme weather starting from Sept. 23, Chief Executive John Lee announced Tuesday.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, Lee said there was broad support to allow trading in extreme weather, in line with other cities.

"Hong Kong is an international financial center and there is no reason for us not to align with international financial standards," Lee said.

He noted that in consultations conducted by the Hong Kong Exchange, over 90% of brokerage firms and securities firms supported the proposal.

The decision comes as Hong Kong braces for the height of the typhoon season -- which mainly occurs between August to September, according to climatological database Worlddata.info.