Hong Kong's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau published an update on the opening of the 19th Asian Financial Forum, setting out the event’s agenda across core financial topics and confirming the launch of a new Global Business Summit, alongside a co-operation agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange aimed at strengthening cross-market links in gold. Co-organised with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the two-day forum is expected to draw more than 3,600 participants from over 60 countries or regions and feature over 150 speakers, including central banks and regulators. Chief Executive John Lee highlighted priorities to reinforce Hong Kong’s equity, bond and wealth management strengths, accelerate new growth areas including an international gold trading market and commodities trading ecosystem, and support companies interested in re-domiciling to Hong Kong. People’s Bank of China Deputy Governor Zou Lan outlined four areas to support Hong Kong’s offshore renminbi market, covering larger renminbi funding arrangements, deeper financial market connectivity including liquidity management and risk-hedging tools, expanded supply of offshore renminbi sovereign bonds, and support for the development of Hong Kong’s gold market. The Shanghai Gold Exchange agreement includes establishing a high-level collaborative governance structure for Hong Kong’s gold central clearing system and exploring physical infrastructure synergy and market interconnectivity. The forum continues on 27 January with the inaugural Global Business Summit, focusing on how finance supports businesses and covering sectors including artificial intelligence and technology, robotics, high-growth consumer products, and biopharmaceuticals and healthcare.

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