HONG KONG, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.3 percent year-on-year in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, according to advance estimates released by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday.

The increase slowed from the 5.9-percent uptick registered in Q1, data from the Census and Statistics Department showed.

A spokesperson for the HKSAR government said that the Q2 growth was underpinned by buoyant trade and resilient domestic demand.

Private consumption expenditure increased by 2.9 percent in real terms over a year earlier, the data showed.

Total exports and imports of goods measured in national accounts terms surged 28.8 and 29.3 percent in real terms, respectively. Exports of services climbed 3.4 percent, and imports of services increased by 2.8 percent.

In the second half of this year, the spokesperson expects vibrant global demand for artificial intelligence-related products to bolster goods exports. Exports of services should benefit from sustained growth in visitor arrivals, and domestic demand is likely to stay firm under stable labor market conditions and solid business and consumer sentiments, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson also pointed to headwinds including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as well as certain economies' inclination towards trade protectionist measures. ■