This year marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain, as well as the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. Financial institutions are playing an increasingly practical role in supporting these ties. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the first Chinese bank operating in the Spanish market and now present in 16 European countries, is among those contributing to deeper financial interaction and business connectivity between the two sides.

During the China-Europe Financial Investment Forum, held in Madrid as a parallel session to the 2025 Financial Street Forum in Beijing last week, CGTN interviewed Li Feng, general manager of ICBC (Europe) S.A., to discuss their role in the development of cross-border financial services.

Q: What is the purpose and role of ICBC Europe in organizing the China-Europe Financial Investment Forum, and why is it being held in Spain this year?

Li Feng: The China-Europe Financial Investment Forum is one of the parallel sessions of the Beijing Financial Street Forum. It serves as an important dialogue platform focused on financial interaction between China and Europe, helping to further activate the two major markets while exploring new areas for future investment. Moreover, this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, as well as the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain. Holding the forum here in Spain allows us to promote stronger communication, mutual understanding, and trust in the financial sector between China and Europe, including China and Spain.

ICBC Europe S.A. is a subsidiary of ICBC, established in Luxembourg in 2006. Last November, we hosted the first European parallel session of the Beijing Financial Street Forum in Luxembourg. In the future, we will continue to hold such sessions in other European cities. This is one of our key missions in Europe, as we are committed to supporting closer economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe. This year's forum is one of the practical steps through which we advance this mission and strategy.

Q: What do you consider to be the most important aspect for the future of China-Europe financial cooperation, and how does this year's forum reflect it?

Li Feng: The guests we invited can reflect our core theme which is about how to take advantage of AI application in financial services and cross-border investment. We are thrilled to have guests from regulatory bodies, esteemed research institutions, a variety of industry experts, and prominent scholars from universities. The conversations we had with these esteemed individuals are aimed at discovering how AI can be effectively integrated into the financial industry. This is also a step forward that could significantly boost the trade and capital market ties between China and Europe. I would also like to highlight that we are honored to have the academicians from Royal Academy of Sciences of Spain, the chancellor of Nebrija University, and the chairman of BOE Technology Group with us to deliver keynote speeches. Their ideas are inspiring.

Q: How does ICBC Europe support China-Europe and China-Spain financial cooperation through its services and presence in Europe?

Li Feng: As a global bank, ICBC has established institutions in 16 European countries, including Luxembourg, Germany, France, and Spain. Notably, our ICBC Madrid Branch is the first Chinese bank to operate in the Spanish market. Moreover, ICBC Group plays a pivotal role as the Chinese representative on the China-Spain Business Advisory Council, established in 2018 to facilitate dialogue and advice among entrepreneurs, enhancing economic and trade cooperation between China and Spain.

Over the years, ICBC has leveraged its global network to offer comprehensive financial services — including financing, bond underwriting, cash management, and RMB products — to numerous Sino-European corporations. The bank has actively bridged economic and trade ties between China and Europe, helping European enterprises tap into the growing opportunities in China's increasingly open market.