Financial Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has urged ratings agencies to drop the link applied to the mainland when judging Hong Kong credit, and raise the SAR's ratings.
The link effectively sets a ceiling on Hong Kong's rating due to the mainland's comparatively unfavourable one.
Mr Tsang made the plea at meetings in New York on Tuesday with key members of Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's.
Hong Kong's rating should be assessed on the strength of the SAR's own economic institutions and credentials, in accordance with the principle of 'one country, two systems' - and not correlated with ratings applied to the mainland, Mr Tsang told the agencies.
'With our tested endurance, enhanced economic fundamentals and our unique position in tapping the opportunities arising from China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, I believe there is every reason for credit-ratings agencies to upgrade their assessment of Hong Kong,' Mr Tsang added.
The fact Hong Kong had weathered the Asian financial crisis in a relatively short period of less than two years was a clear demonstration of economic resilience and adaptability, he said.
