College of Business hosts landmark forum on China's new economic paradigm
On 20 September 2025, the "2025 Fudan Chief Economist Hong Kong Forum and City University of Hong Kong Business Leaders Forum" was held at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), attracting over 600 participants. The forum focused on the cutting-edge issues surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and financial markets, highlighting their profound impact on the high-quality economic development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The event coincides with the 120th anniversary of Fudan University and the 40th anniversary of the re-establishment of its School of Economics.
Professor Freddy Boey, President of City University of Hong Kong, welcomes a distinguished gathering of academic and business leaders, highlighting their collective role in shaping the region's economic future.
In his welcoming address, Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK, expressed his pride in partnering with Fudan University to host this significant forum for exchanging ideas with renowned economists and experts from various sectors on the latest developments in AI. “This event lays a solid foundation for the high-quality economic development in Hong Kong and the GBA, demonstrating a prime example of interdisciplinary collaboration that fosters regional development,” he said.
President Boey extended special thanks to co-organiser, Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai, Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong-Shanghai Associations, and his team for their support, along with the Hong Kong Liaison Office of the Fudan University School of Economics Global Alumni Association.
Professor Jun Zhang, Dean of the School of Economics at Fudan University, remarked, "Today's forum is not just an academic exchange, but also a significant opportunity to propel economic development. We look forward to injecting new vitality into the development of Hong Kong, the GBA, and the nation as a whole through in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence and financial markets."
In recognition of their invaluable support for the forum, Professor Freddy Boey presents tokens of appreciation to Professor Jun Zhang, Dean of the School of Economics at Fudan University, and Mr Andrew Yao, Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong-Shanghai Associations.
In his closing remarks, Professor Stephen Shum, Dean of the CityUHK College of Business, reaffirms the College's commitment to deepening collaborations with top universities in China and globally to foster academic exchange and drive regional economic growth.
The CityUHK College of Business (the College) has always kept pace with market changes and talent demands. Professor Stephen Shum Wan-hang, Dean of the College, shared insights on future curriculum planning and directions for industry research collaboration at the forum. He emphasised that the College will continue to strengthen its focus on the field of AI. For example, the College launched the first "MSc Artificial Intelligence in Business" programme in Hong Kong this year.
Professor Shum stated that in the future, the College will continue to deepen cooperation with top universities in China and around the world to jointly promote academic exchange and regional economic development. “The CityUHK College of Business gathers world-class scholars, dedicated to nurturing innovative business leaders with a sense of social responsibility through high quality education and research,” he said. “The College has a long-standing history of collaboration with leading universities in mainland China, such as Tsinghua University and Fudan University, and offers executive education programmes to foster talent development for the country and Hong Kong.”
Recently, CityUHK was ranked 98th in the 2026 QS MBA Rankings, rising one place from last year, reflecting the College’s commitment to nurturing business talent with an international perspective. Looking ahead, the College will continue to optimise its curriculum in response to market changes and student needs.
Dr Steve Chuang, JP, Honorary President of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, shares his strategic insights for the city's economic future.
Three Keynote Presentations Explore Navigating Today's Evolving Economic Climate
The forum was divided into two parts: keynote speeches and panel discussions. Several renowned scholars and business leaders delivered keynote speeches, analysing the challenges and opportunities in the current business environment.
Dr Steve Chuang, JP, Honorary President of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, delivered a keynote speech, sharing his perspectives on innovation and entrepreneurship within the GBA. He emphasised that Hong Kong should enhance its production efficiency and achieve an optimised and upgraded economic structure by developing new industries and technologies.
Professor Yuan Qi, Dean of the Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Incubation Institute of Fudan University, explored the wide-ranging applications of AI in the business sector and its socio-economic impact. He stated, "Artificial intelligence is not just a technological innovation, it is a crucial engine for driving economic growth."
Professor Yuan Qi, Dean of Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Incubation Institute of Fudan University, illuminates the profound socio-economic impact of artificial intelligence during his keynote address.
Professor Jun Zhang, Dean of the School of Economics at Fudan University, expresses his vision for the forum to act as a catalyst, injecting new vitality into the development of Hong Kong, the GBA, and the nation.
Professor Jun Zhang delivered a speech titled "Shanghai, Hong Kong, and the High-Quality Development of the Chinese Economy", providing an in-depth analysis of the unique positions and roles of Shanghai and Hong Kong in China's economic development. He highlighted the importance of leveraging their respective advantages, strengthening cooperation, and jointly promoting the nation's high-quality economic growth.
Two Panel Discussions: A Gathering of Experts Focusing on Current Economic Trends
Following the keynote speeches were two panel discussions, in which experts engaged in deep dives into the transformative trends of AI empowerment and financial markets.
In the first panel, moderator Ms Fangli Liao, Specially Appointed Research Fellow of the China Development Institute (Shenzhen), invited several experts, including Dr Toa Charm (Chairman of OpenCertHub and Founding Chairman of the Data and AI Literacy Association), Professor Zhao Chen (Associate Dean of the School of Economics, Fudan University, and Deputy Director of the Fudan University China Socialist Market Economy Research Center), Mr Wilson Chong (Chairman of the IOT HK Association), Mr Zhirong Liao (General Manager of Strategy & Investment, Zhejiang Dahua Technology CO., Ltd), and Mr Simeon Shang (Director of Tencent Ethereal Audio Lab), to discuss the application and future prospects of AI in the business world. The panellists all agreed that the rapid development of AI technology will bring unprecedented changes across all industries and has immense potential, especially in enhancing efficiency and decision-making.
The first panel discussion brought together a distinguished group of experts to explore the future of AI in business. From left: Ms Fangli Liao, Dr Toa Charm, Professor Zhao Chen, Mr Wilson Chong, Mr Zhirong Liao, and Mr Simeon Shang,
Experts on the second panel dissecting trends and transformations in financial markets. From left: Dr Mingchun Sun, Dr Shi Cheng, Mr Shuang Ding, Dr Weijun Hu, Dr Benny Luk, and Professor Tian Wen.
The second panel discussion focused on the trends and transformations in the financial markets. Moderator Dr Mingchun Sun (Senior Economic Advisor of Tencent Group and Vice Chairman of the Chinese Financial Association of Hong Kong) was joined by financial experts, including Dr Shi Cheng (Chief Economist, ICBC International), Mr Shuang Ding (Chief Economist for Greater China and North Asia, Standard Chartered Bank), Dr Weijun Hu (Chief Economist of China and Managing Director, Macquarie Group Limited), Dr Benny Luk (Former CEO Greater China, BGC Group of Companies), and Professor Tian Wen (Fund Manager at Paulson (Shanghai) Hedge Fund Management).
They conducted a thorough analysis of the current state of the financial markets and shared their unique perspectives. The panellists highlighted the need for Hong Kong to enhance its competitiveness in the global financial market and boost the confidence of market investors amid the unstable environment.
The forum brought together a series of exciting speeches and discussions, collectively presenting new perspectives and insights for the economic development of Hong Kong, the GBA, and the nation.
For more information about the "Fudan Chief Economist Hong Kong Forum and City University of Hong Kong Business Leaders Forum," please visit the following website: https://www.cb.cityu.edu.hk/News-and-Events/Conferences-and-Forums/2025-Fudan-CityUHK-Forum