The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), jointly organized by the Hong Kong SAR Government and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully after drawing over 4,000 political and business leaders from more than 60 countries and regions. The forum, which featured over 150 speakers across various sessions, launched the inaugural Global Business Summit to integrate finance with key industries, driving innovation and economic development while strengthening Hong Kong's role through financial empowerment. This development is significant as it underscores Hong Kong's evolving function as a critical international financial hub and a superconnector between the Chinese Mainland and global markets, with implications for capital flows, technological advancement, and cross-sector collaboration worldwide.
The forum's discussions revealed pressing global concerns and opportunities. At a keynote luncheon, Dr. Jose Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, highlighted the technological race creating instability, noting that corporate leaders globally are seeking favorable positions amid geopolitical and technological risks. Concurrently, Dr. Zhu Min of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges discussed the opportunities renminbi internationalization presents for Hong Kong, emphasizing the city's perfect positioning to provide liquidity and bond market services amid competition among major currencies. These insights matter because they reflect the complex interplay of finance, technology, and geopolitics that defines the current economic landscape, directly impacting investment strategies and international trade dynamics.
A tangible outcome of the forum was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Shanghai Gold Exchange, establishing a high-level cooperative governance framework for Hong Kong's central gold clearing system. This agreement marks a significant step in enhancing market connectivity and supports Hong Kong's development as an international gold trading hub, which is important for diversifying and stabilizing regional financial markets. The forum also featured a pledging ceremony demonstrating the commitment of the HKSAR Government, HKTDC, and AFF Partners—including EY, HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Standard Chartered, UBS, CICC, Huatai Securities, Bank of Communication (Hong Kong) and China CITIC Bank International—to assist Chinese Mainland enterprises in going global via the Hong Kong platform.
The inaugural Global Business Summit, co-organized by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), focused on practical collaboration. Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, stated that financial services help industries and investors maximize investments and impact, supporting technological breakthroughs and sustainable development. He emphasized Hong Kong's unique role under the "One Country, Two Systems" arrangement as a superconnector, super value-adder, and supercollaborator, facilitating conversations and cross-sector collaboration. This is crucial because it positions Hong Kong not just as a financial center but as an integrative platform that adds value across industries, enhancing economic resilience and agility in unpredictable times.
Business plenary sessions delved into specific strategies and challenges. In a session on Chinese Mainland enterprises going global, leaders from companies like XPENG, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, LONGi Green Energy, and Alibaba Group discussed global expansion strategies amid macroeconomic shifts. Conversely, a session on strategic collaboration for shared growth featured international executives from institutions like Investcorp, JP Morgan, and Revolut exploring how to enter the Chinese Mainland market through investment and partnerships. Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp, highlighted the vital China-Gulf Cooperation Council corridor, noting significant appetite in the Gulf region to partner with Chinese companies due to favorable valuations. These discussions are important as they reveal the bidirectional flow of capital and expertise, with Hong Kong serving as the critical gateway, influencing global supply chains and investment patterns.
The forum also addressed high-growth sectors through thematic sessions. In biomedicine, companies like Amgen and Merck discussed the high cost and lengthy R&D cycles, emphasizing the need for diversified financing channels to accelerate commercialization. AI and robotics sessions, featuring leaders from JD.com and Tencent, explored how AI-driven technologies can integrate into the real economy, transforming healthcare, manufacturing, and services. Real-time polling during AFF indicated that over 70% of attendees were neutral to optimistic about the global economic outlook for the year, with 51.2% prioritizing the development of artificial intelligence and AI-driven applications, followed by energy transition and sustainable development at 20.3%. These priorities signal where future investments and innovations are likely to concentrate, affecting job markets, regulatory frameworks, and technological adoption globally.
Practical outcomes were facilitated through AFF Deal-making, which attracted over 280 investors and 600 investment projects, resulting in more than 800 one-on-one meetings. This platform connected global capital with opportunities, exemplified by a Thai participant finding new funding sources and an Australian food processing project owner identifying partners offering expertise beyond financial investment. The matching services extended online, ensuring continued connectivity. Additionally, project investment sessions highlighted key Hong Kong initiatives like the Northern Metropolis, SKYTOPIA at Hong Kong International Airport, and the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, showcasing the city's long-term plans for regional connectivity and innovation-driven development.
The forum featured four thematic zones, including the FutureGreen Showcase, which highlighted applications in green finance and technology, demonstrating robust market demand for green transformation. This aligns with global sustainability goals and influences how industries approach environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The event also included roundtable meetings, such as the Hong Kong International Fundraising Roundtable 2026 and the Attracting Strategic Enterprises roundtable, providing platforms for enterprises to discuss financing needs and expansion strategies. These elements collectively reinforce Hong Kong's role as a comprehensive international financial centre, as emphasized during the 2026 International Financial Week, which features 14 industry events on topics like digital finance, green finance, and private equity.
In a concrete example of cross-border collaboration facilitated by the forum, Hong Kong food-tech company Techvalue International and Australia's Gryph Holdings signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch innovative plant-based products, with plans to expand into Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand. This deal, facilitated by the HKTDC Sydney Office, underscores Hong Kong's pivotal role in enabling innovation and international partnerships. The successful conclusion of the 19th Asian Financial Forum and its associated initiatives highlights Hong Kong's strategic importance in the global financial ecosystem, with far-reaching implications for economic integration, technological advancement, and sustainable development worldwide.
