Hong Kong's success in attracting firms in search of foreign capital is not confined to the Mainland enterprises. Companies from around the region which are doing business on the Mainland are being enticed by its active markets, broad investor base and fund raising expertise. This issue, entitled "Beyond the Optimum", will look at why Hong Kong is capable of managing such huge IPOs and how we can move forward.

Mr Lawrence Fok of the HKEx, Mr Jason Kim of Daewoo Securities (HK) Ltd, Professor Billy Mak of the HKBU, Mr Charles Chan of CCIF CPA Ltd, Mr Su Zhixin of the Bank of China (HK), Mr Paul Chan of the HKICPA and Mr David Ng of Hong Kong Great Wall CPA Ltd talked to the journal and shared their opinions and concerns in the cover stories.

A strong financial market is built on trust and while there will be occasions when that trust is called into question, Hong Kong's regulators and finance professionals are determined to be proactive in policing the industry. In the Feature column, Mrs Alexa Lam, the SFC's Executive Director of Intermediaries and Investment Products, and Mr Anthony Espina, Chairman of the Hong Kong Stockbrokers Association share their views about recent cases of misappropriation.

China has an aging population and an old age insurance system to match; yet steps are being taken to bring it into line with those in developed nations. In the China Focus column, Mr Stuart Leckie, Investment Actuary, Stirling Finance Limited, and Mr David Hatton, Regional Head, Global Retirement Services Support of ING Insurance Asia/Pacific share their opinions about China's pension reform and the opportunities ahead for the industry.