The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEX) flag, flies outside the Exchange Square in Hong Kong on Jan 20, 2017. (File photo: China Daily)

HONG KONG, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) Charles Li said on Wednesday that HKEX's markets have continued to operate with resilience despite the impact of COVID-19 outbreak and HKEX remains committed to keeping its markets fully operational.

"Over the past week or so, global markets have seen heightened volatility reflecting the macro environment and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Throughout this period, HKEX's markets have continued to operate with resilience, upholding a fair and orderly trading environment while at the same time ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues," Li said in response to media inquiry.

"Our clearing and risk management systems have remained fully functional, providing efficiency, reliability and transparency, at a time when this is most needed," Li noted, adding that HKEX's market safety mechanisms, such as trading halt arrangements for after-hours options trading, have functioned as expected.

HKEX has put in place a comprehensive business continuity management (BCM) framework to ensure service continuity and stability, Li said. "Internally, we have implemented a series of precautionary measures across our sites in Asia and the UK and provided timely travel and health advisories to ensure all of our colleagues are protected."

"In times like this, market operators must rise to the challenge and provide stable and transparent access to liquidity for our issuers, market participants and investors. We remain committed to keeping our markets fully operational, though the current global pressures on financial markets mean that we will continue to operate with a heightened sense of vigilance in the coming weeks and months," he said.

"Functioning capital markets, with their price discovery and risk management capabilities, play a critical function in ensuring global economic stability, and we are focused on playing our role," he added.