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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School successfully concluded its anniversary celebrations with the “CUHK Business School 60th Anniversary International Finance Forum and 17^th China International Finance Forum” on Saturday, 23 March 2024. 

Over the past 60 years, CUHK Business School has been at the forefront of education, combining knowledge and wisdom from East and West. It has nurtured exceptional business leaders for Hong Kong, Mainland China and the global community, while producing cutting-edge research that advances the development of the business sector, making significant contributions to the finance industry. 

The forum, organised by CUHK Business School and the China International Finance Forum, centred on the theme “Towards the Future of Hong Kong as an International Financial Centre”. The event brought together government officials, renowned industry professionals and think tank experts from at home and abroad to discuss the prospects for Hong Kong’s financial development. More than a hundred academics, doctoral and master’s students, and business leaders took part. 

Mr Paul Chan Mo-po, GBM, GBS, MH, JP, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR and an alumnus of CUHK Business School, mentioned in his keynote speech that, under the impact of geopolitical factors, the government will strive to bolster the confidence of European and American investors, open up new capital sources including those from the Middle East, and capitalise on the opportunities arising from green development and the digital economy. He commented, “As we look ahead to the future, we are confident in the development of Hong Kong as an international financial centre. With a vast hinterland in the Mainland, we can leverage steadfast support from the country, international institutional advantages under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle and cultural advantages.

Dr Norman Chan Tak-lam, GBS, JP, Council Vice-Chairman of CUHK, added in his welcome speech: “The world order is swiftly evolving. Recent developments in capital flows from Europe and the US might not always be in our favour, suggesting the need for corresponding adjustments at the intersection of domestic and international circulations in the Mainland. Nonetheless, Hong Kong remains an efficient and secure connecting platform. Integration with the Greater Bay Area and mutually beneficial development will provide endless opportunities for the future.”

During the forum, guests shared insights into Hong Kong’s development as a financial centre. Mr Andrew Sheng, former Chairman of The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, emphasised the need to reinforce Hong Kong’s status as an offshore RMB centre for Mainland and global growth. Dr Li Kou-qing, Director of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, stressed regional cooperation in the Asia Pacific region. Professor Kuan Chung-ming, former President of Taiwan University, suggested learning from regional competitors. Dr Zhang Yan-sheng, Secretary General of the Academic Committee of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, highlighted green finance opportunities; and Mr Qiao Yi-de, Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Development Research Foundation, attributed Hong Kong’s success to its renowned brand. 

Professor Zhou Lin, dean of CUHK Business School, expressed gratitude to the guests for sharing their thought-provoking insights, which are invaluable to education, research and business. “As we conclude CUHK Business School’s 60^th Anniversary celebrations”, he remarked, “our achievements today are the result of the collective efforts of all members of the School throughout the years. As we embark on a new journey of transformation, vigorously contributing to the future development of CUHK and the global economy, your unwavering support is pivotal. In this era of challenges and opportunities, I encourage more dialogue, cooperation and exchange among leaders from diverse backgrounds, so they can join hands and tackle the challenges of our time.”