Asian Financial Forum strengthens links between China and the world

Editor's note: Matteo Giovannini, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a finance professional at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, a Non-Resident Associate Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and a member of the Global Young Leaders Dialogue. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

As the global economy navigates a period of profound uncertainty, marked by geopolitical tensions, technological disruption and an uneven post-pandemic recovery, the need for credible platforms that foster dialogue, coordination and practical cooperation has never been greater. Against this backdrop, the 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), held on January 26 to 27 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, once again underscores its role as one of Asia's most consequential convening points for finance, business and policymaking.

Since its launch in 2007, the AFF has evolved far beyond a traditional financial conference. What began as a regional dialogue has, over the past 18 years, matured into a flagship platform that connects global capital with Asian growth, aligns financial innovation with real-economy needs and facilitates cross-border understanding at a time when fragmentation risks are rising. The 2026 theme, "Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape," captures both the complexity of today's environment and the opportunity for collective action in the face of shared challenges.

This year's newly introduced slogan, "Finance Empowering Business," is more than a branding refresh. It reflects a deeper recognition that finance must move beyond balance sheets and trading floors to actively support industrial upgrading, technological innovation and sustainable development. The debut of the Global Business Summit, integrated into the AFF framework, is particularly significant in this regard. It signals a deliberate effort to strengthen the interface between financial institutions and the real economy, ensuring that capital allocation is aligned with long-term value creation rather than short-term speculation. In doing so, the forum acknowledges that resilient growth depends on closer coordination between financiers, entrepreneurs and policymakers.

One of the AFF's most distinctive contributions lies in its ability to convene cross-industry conversations. Unlike forums that silo discussions into narrow professional tracks, the AFF brings together policymakers, central bankers, asset managers, entrepreneurs, technology leaders and sustainability experts under one roof. This cross-pollination matters. The challenges facing today's economies, including climate transition, digital transformation and supply-chain resilience, are inherently interdisciplinary. Solutions require not only financial instruments, but also regulatory foresight, technological capability and business execution. By design, the AFF provides a space where these perspectives intersect.

For Chinese mainland companies seeking to go global, the forum plays a particularly strategic role. As Chinese firms expand overseas, whether in manufacturing, digital services, green technology, or consumer brands, they face increasingly complex financial, regulatory and geopolitical environments. The AFF offers more than visibility, providing access to international investors, legal and compliance expertise and comparative insights into global market standards. In this sense, the forum acts as a soft-landing platform, helping Chinese enterprises translate domestic success into sustainable international growth.

Hong Kong's unique position amplifies this function. As an international financial center with deep connectivity to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong remains an indispensable bridge between China and global capital markets. The AFF showcases how this bridge operates in practice, with RMB internationalization discussions alongside dollar-based asset management, Chinese mainland innovation stories presented to global investors, and international best practices exchanged with Chinese policymakers and business leaders. At a time when narratives around decoupling persist, the AFF offers a counterpoint grounded in engagement, pragmatism and mutual interest.

Equally important is the forum's role in attracting international businesses to the Chinese market. Despite external uncertainties, China continues to represent one of the world's largest and most dynamic markets, particularly in areas such as green finance, advanced manufacturing and digital consumption. Through candid discussions on policy direction, market access and regulatory reform, the AFF helps international participants better understand China's economic trajectory and risk-reward profile. This transparency is critical for rebuilding confidence and encouraging long-term investment.

The growing prominence of sustainable finance at the AFF further illustrates its forward-looking orientation. Climate finance, environmental, social and governance standards, and transition pathways are no longer peripheral topics and are now central to how capital will be mobilized in the coming decades. By aligning global sustainability frameworks with Asia's development realities and China's scale, the forum contributes to shaping more inclusive and workable models of green transformation.

Ultimately, the AFF's enduring relevance stems from its ability to evolve. Each iteration reflects shifts in the global landscape while maintaining a clear focus on cooperation over confrontation. In an era where trust is scarce and coordination difficult, the gathering does not promise easy solutions. Instead, it offers something arguably more valuable in the form of a sustained mechanism for dialogue, learning and partnership.

As the 19th AFF convenes thousands of participants from around the world, its message is clear. Finance, when thoughtfully structured and responsibly deployed, can be a powerful enabler of business, innovation and shared growth. In co-creating new horizons, platforms like the AFF remind us that integration, between finance and the real economy and between China and the world, remains not only possible but necessary.

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