Fifteen years after its return to China, Hong Kong remains the best place in the world for business.

Towering ambition -- the International Finance Center is one of Hong Kong's most prominent landmarks -- rising more than 400 meters into the sky.

It's the vision of real estate tycoon Lee Shau-kee. In 1997 before the handover, he was named the fourth richest man in the world, the top Chinese on the list. He said the ranking consolidated confidence in Hong Kong's business environment.

Lee said, "It's an honor for me, and also for Hong Kong, as well as China."

Last year, Bloomberg rated Hong Kong as the best place for business due to its free market policies and low corporate taxes, as well as being the gateway to the world's most populous nation. Quite a triumph, considering the return to China had stoked concern that its role as an international financial center would slide.

And the city's capital markets are powering the city's commercial activities.

The Hong Kong Exchange is one of the world's largest stock exchanges. Last year it topped global markets with $28 billion of IPOs. Now more than 1500 companies are listed here, and average daily turnover reaches nearly $9 billion."

A senior exchange official explains why the market attracts public listings of world companies.

Today's skyline is dominated by 112 buildings that stand taller than 180 meters. In some way they are monuments to Hong Kong's business momentum and rising economy.

(CNTV.cn June 26, 2012)