Usually that term refers to the financial industry because money comes in and goes out without restriction. But Maisano says Hong Kong is also liquid in terms of human talent. People travel in and out of the city frequently, and Hong Kong absorbs the best of the best in terms of technology, ideas and human capital.

More than 600 French companies are registered in Hong Kong. Many luxury brands have established regional headquarters here, so they can expand into China’s mainland and east Asia.

Bertrand Michaud spends many afternoons here at Hong Kong's yacht club. He is Managing Director of Hermes Asia Pacific, a position he's held since 1998. Since then Hermes has opened a story at the Galleria in Central next to the Princes buildings. This was a major investment for the French fashion house and a sign that the company, and Bertrand Michaud, are here to stay.

"When you are driving along the beach, and takes only 20 minutes. No traffic jam. In HK, it's very nice. I've been driving for 9 years almost on the same path every morning. Which is very enjoyable. When I go to the office, it's a good opportunity to think of what I’m going to do during the day.So I'm ready when I arrive, ready to start, full speed like in HK," says Bertrand Michaud, Managing Director of Asia PacificHermes Greater China Limited.

Bertrand Michaud and his wife first visited Hong Kong fifteen years ago on a business trip. They didn't like Hong Kong at first – It wasn't until after Bertrand moved here to head Hermes’ greater China business – that he and his family fell in love with the city.

That was eight years ago. Now he is a permanent resident and has no plans to leave.

"The place is safe. Good schools. Good clients. Good business. Good friends. International background. Not to mention the food. It's a very dynamic environment. Everything is possible. If you decide something and you want to implement it, it's going to be done. People are very efficient, hard–working. The legal system is very safe, very reliable. The banking system. It's what we call the can-do spirit," says Bertrand Michaud.