On the afternoon of November 5, 2026, the Parallel Session on “Harnessing Financial Strength to Advance Global Economic and Trade Cooperation and Innovation-Driven Growth” of the 9th HongQiao International Economic Forum (HQF) was held in Hall C1, Hall 4.2, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Hosted by Bank of China, the session focused on leveraging finance to facilitate global economic and trade cooperation, strengthen coordination among stakeholders, and build bridges for international exchanges and cooperation together with business associations worldwide. Participants discussed innovative approaches and practical measures to facilitate channels for economic and trade cooperation.

I. Building Consensus on Openness and Cooperation: Using Finance to Facilitate Global Trade Flows

World multipolarity and economic globalization are prevailing trends, while multilateralism and free trade reflect the shared aspirations of people around the world. Amid continuing disruptions from geopolitical conflicts, unilateralism and protectionism, financial authorities and market institutions across countries should work together to provide more resilient and efficient financial support for removing barriers to trade, strengthening capital connectivity and serving industrial innovation.

Yuan Xiaoming, Assistant Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, delivered a video address. Ge Haijiao, Chairman of Bank of China, noted that openness, innovation and sharing are defining features of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and also point the way forward for financial services supporting global economic and trade cooperation. Bank of China stands ready to deepen comprehensive, multi-level and regular cooperation with domestic and overseas business associations, enterprises and other partners, and jointly open a new chapter of openness, cooperation and mutual benefit for the world economy.

He Qing, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, and Xi Yanchun, Vice President of Xinhua News Agency, delivered remarks. Keynote speeches were subsequently delivered by Rui Miguêns de Oliveira, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Angola; Michael Hart, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China; Peter Burnett, Chief Executive of the China-Britain Business Council; Vaughn Barber, Chair of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce; Gianni di Giovanni, Chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China and Chairman of Eni China; and Mark Lee, Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation.

II. Launch of the Initiative for Global Business Associations to Facilitate “Export to China” and the “BOC Smart Treasury Renewal Solution”

Yang Jun, Executive Vice President of Bank of China, released the two initiatives at the session. He explained that “Export to China” is a new nationally endorsed brand developed by China from the perspective of its trading partners and with a view to balancing imports and exports. Bank of China and representatives of participating business associations reached consensus and jointly launched the Initiative for Global Business Associations to Facilitate “Export to China”, calling for joint efforts to build platforms connecting markets, improve trade facilitation, facilitate the entry of high-quality products into the Chinese market, deepen industrial and supply chain cooperation, and foster an open and mutually beneficial cooperation ecosystem. The BOC Smart Treasury Renewal Solution, developed by Bank of China, provides one-stop, comprehensive and full-cycle financial support for businesses from around the world seeking to enter and expand their presence in China.

III. Dialogue Among Business Associations and Academic Representatives: Building an Open, Innovative and Mutually Beneficial Ecosystem

The roundtable dialogue examined emerging features of global trade, including slower growth, shifts in growth drivers, changes in the trade landscape and an increasing emphasis on quality. Focusing on core issues such as cross-border trade facilitation, financial innovation and multi-stakeholder coordination, participants exchanged ideas and experiences that could inform multilateral cooperation and international economic and trade exchanges.

Participants in the dialogue included Zhang Bei, Deputy Director-General of the Research Bureau of the People’s Bank of China; Martin Cauchon, Vice-Chair of the Canada China Business Council; Carlos Salinas, Executive Director for East Asia of the U.S. Soybean Export Council; Jacques Bortuzzo, President of the China-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce; Neak Oknha Ly Kunthai, President of the Cambodia Confederation of Investors Association; Erick Kipkoech Rutto, President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Zhai Jingli, Deputy CEO, Sinar Mas Group - APP. The discussion was moderated by Zhang Xingrong, Deputy General Manager, BOC Research Institute.

Participants noted that trade is becoming increasingly green and technology-intensive, and that financial services must keep pace by expanding support for green development and technological innovation. Businesses need a stable and predictable trading environment in which transactions can be settled reliably, along with financial services that offer convenient payments, accessible financing and manageable risks. Financial institutions and business associations should therefore strengthen information sharing and project matchmaking, extend their services beyond individual transactions to industrial and supply chain collaboration, and enable small and medium-sized enterprises to share in the benefits of openness.

Representatives of Chinese and overseas government departments, financial regulatory authorities, business associations, enterprises, think tanks and academic institutions, as well as journalists, attended the session. Representatives from 87 business associations worldwide and more than 70 enterprises participated on site.