The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), jointly organized by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded 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, also marked the launch of the inaugural Global Business Summit, designed to further integrate finance with key industries to drive innovation and economic development.
Dr. Jose Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, highlighted the current technological race and associated geopolitical risks during a keynote luncheon, noting that global corporate leaders are seeking favorable positioning. This underscores the forum's relevance for business leaders navigating an unstable international landscape. Concurrently, Dr. Zhu Min discussed the opportunities renminbi internationalization presents for Hong Kong, emphasizing the city's ideal position to provide necessary liquidity and bond market services amid competition among major global currencies.
A significant agreement was signed between the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Shanghai Gold Exchange, establishing a cooperative governance framework for Hong Kong's central gold clearing system. This initiative strengthens market connectivity and supports Hong Kong's development as an international gold trading hub, detailed further on the forum's official site at https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/aff/.
The Global Business Summit, co-organized by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), opened with remarks from Financial Secretary Paul Chan and HKTDC Chairman Prof. Frederick Ma. Prof. Ma positioned Hong Kong as a "superconnector, super value-adder and supercollaborator" under the "One Country, Two Systems" arrangement, facilitating cross-sector collaboration and serving as a gateway between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world.
Business plenary sessions focused on Chinese Mainland enterprises going global and strategic collaboration for shared growth. In the former, leaders from companies like XPENG and Alibaba Group discussed global expansion strategies amid macroeconomic shifts. In the latter, representatives from institutions such as Investcorp and JP Morgan explored how international companies can enter the Chinese Mainland market, with Mohammed Alardhi of Investcorp highlighting the vital China-Gulf Cooperation Council corridor and the significant appetite in the Gulf region to partner with Chinese companies.
The summit also featured discussion sessions on high-growth sectors including biomedicine, green energy, and artificial intelligence. Sessions like "AI Infrastructure: Powering the Intelligent Supply Chain" and "AI Driven Robotics and Autonomous Technologies Revolutionising Industry" involved leaders from DexForce Technology, JD.com, and Tencent, discussing scalable applications and investment priorities. Polling conducted during AFF revealed that 51.2% of participants believe priority should be given to developing artificial intelligence and AI-driven applications, followed by energy transition and sustainable development at 20.3%.
Deal-making was a core component, with AFF Deal-making facilitating over 800 one-on-one meetings between 280 investors and 600 investment projects. The HKTDC's matching services extended online, allowing continued connections. Project Investment Sessions highlighted key Hong Kong initiatives like the Northern Metropolis and the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, showcasing the city's long-term plans for regional connectivity and innovation-driven development.
Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Hong Kong's Techvalue International and Australia's Gryph Holdings to launch innovative plant-based products, facilitated by the HKTDC Sydney Office. The forum also featured four thematic zones, including the FutureGreen Showcase, which highlighted green finance and technology applications, demonstrating market demand for green transformation across sectors.
International Financial Week 2026, kicked off by AFF, includes 14 industry events covering topics from digital finance to private equity, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a comprehensive international financial centre. The forum's outcomes underscore Hong Kong's strategic importance in enabling financial empowerment, fostering cross-border collaboration, and navigating global economic and technological shifts, offering critical insights for leaders in business and technology.
