Hong Kong, 20 November 2024 – The China International Financial Forum • Hong Kong Summit (CIFF) co-organized by institutes including Savantas Policy Institute, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies and Shanghai Institute of International Economics was successfully held today at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong. Since its establishment in 2004, CIFF has been successfully held for 20 years in Shanghai, and this is the first time for its Hong Kong Summit to be held in Hong Kong. More than 200 participants including experts, academics and the business sector representatives attended the forum.

The theme of the Summit was “Global Economic and Financial Trends and China’s Economic Outlook”. The Forum invited Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSARG; Hon. Mrs Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, Convenor of Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) and Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo); and over 30 other global financial industry elites and investment institution representatives. They analyzed global economic and financial development trends through keynote speeches and expert dialogues, etc.; discussed Hong Kong's development of new quality productive forces, promote technological innovation; and advance the development of the country’s financial industry.

Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSARG, as the special guest of the forum, said in his speech, “Connectivity has always been a defining feature of Hong Kong’s success. As a global financial centre located at the crossroads of East and West, Hong Kong remains the key entry point to the Mainland market. Externally, we are also strengthening the connectivity with different markets. We will continue to engage with traditional markets, including the US and Europe. Meanwhile, the shifting economic gravity presents new opportunities. Hong Kong can play the role of "super connector", bridging not only the traditional markets, but also emerging markets in the Global South, like the ASEAN and the Middle East. Hong Kong can offer essential support in infrastructure financing and green finance, and guide funding to new projects, through innovative financial products. Together, we can harness these opportunities, and drive economic innovation, resilience, and growth in the Global South markets; and more importantly, create a more interconnected and sustainable future shared by all.”

Hon. Mrs. Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, Convenor of Non-official Members of the ExCo and LegCo Member, stated in her opening remarks, “Shanghai and Hong Kong have much in common. Today, Shanghai has become China’s premier financial centre on the mainland. As a global financial centre well recognised for its open and transparent business environment, Hong Kong stands ready to further enhance connectivity with the mainland in support of the growth of the real economy. I am confident that the discussions on global financial and economic trends, China’s economic outlook, etc., would enable all of us to gain more insight on how to fortify ourselves against global headwinds, and enable the financial industries to create greater value, not only to China, Hong Kong, but also to the world.”

Mr. HUANG Qifan, Former Mayor of Chongqing Municipality, Executive Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, said in a video message, “Through expanding RMB international trade, optimizing the capital market structure, strengthening asset and wealth management, enhancing financial technology and innovation, as well as improving financial supervision and international cooperation, Hong Kong can consolidate its position as a global financial center and play a key role in the process of internationalization of RMB. Combined with its own geographic and systemic advantages, Hong Kong will continue to play an important role as a hub in the global financial system in the future. Combined with its geographical and institutional strengths, Hong Kong will continue to to serve as a vital hub in the global financial system and further enhance its influence in the global economy.”

In addition to Hon. Mrs Regina Ip, Mr. Samuel YUNG, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Dr. YAN Anlin, Chairman of the Academic Affairs Council, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, also delivered speeches in opening remarks. Speakers who delivered keynote speeches included Mr. HUANG Qifan, Former Mayor of Chongqing Municipality, Executive Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy; Mr. Bryan PASCOE, Chief Executive of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA); Mr. Steven BARNETT, The International Monetary Fund's Senior Resident Representative in China etc.  The panel discussion featured Mr. Norman CHAN Tak-lam, Former Chief Executive of the HKMA and Chairman of Institute of Web 3.0 Hong Kong; Mr. Charles LI, Founder and Chairman of Micro Connect and Former Chief Executive Officer of HKEX; Mr. David LIAO, Executive Director on the Board of The HSBC and Co-Chief Executive, Asia-Pacific of HSBC; and Ms. Helen QIAO, Managing Director at Bank of America Securities. The Forum also featured keynote speeches on the International Trends and China’s Opportunities in the Asset Management Industry and Financial Digital Transformation in the Web 3.0 Era. Mr. Christopher HUI Ching-Yu, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, delivered a special address at the guest dinner.

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The China International Financial Forum • Hong Kong Summit (CIFF) co-organized by institutes including Savantas Policy Institute, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies and Shanghai Institute of International Economics was successfully held today at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong.

(From Left) Mr. Charles LI, Founder and Chairman of Micro Connect, Former Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX); Dr. YAN Anlin, Chairman of the Academic Affairs Council, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies; Mr. Steven BARNETT, The International Monetary Fund's Senior Resident Representative in China; Mr. XI Junjian, Vice President of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies; Mrs. Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, Convenor of Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) and Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo); Mr. Paul CHAN Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSARG; Mr. Samuel YUNG, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Mr. Norman CHAN Tak-lam, Former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Chairman of Institute of Web 3.0 Hong Kong; Mr. Bryan PASCOE, Chief Executive of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA); Mr. Antony HUNG, Executive Vice President and Regional Head for Asia Pacific of Santander Group; Mr. Huan Xiaoqin, President of the Shanghai Institute of International Economics.

The theme of the Summit was “Global Economic and Financial Trends and China’s Economic Outlook”. The Forum invited Hon. Mrs Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, Convenor of Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) and Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo);and over 30 other global financial industry elites and investment institution representatives.

Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSARG, delivered a speech as special guest of the forum.

Hon. Mrs. Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, Convenor of the ExCo and Member of the LegCo delivered a speech in opening remarks.