STORY: Star-studded financial summit lineup casts vote of confidence in Hong Kong, mainland
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 7, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 8, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:39
LOCATION: HONG KONG, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit in Hong Kong
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOHN LEE, Chief executive of the HKSAR
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ZHANG QINGSONG, Deputy governor of the People's Bank of China

STORYLINE:

Global financial heavyweights joined regulators Tuesday at the main session of the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit in Hong Kong, casting a vote of confidence in the economic prospects of the financial center and the Chinese mainland.

The event brought together around 300 international and regional leaders from 160 global financial institutions, with more than 90 institutions represented by their group chairmen or CEOs.

Under the theme of "Living with Complexity," the main summit discussed the trends and changes that are reshaping the global financial industry. Mainland policymakers shared insights into the conditions and future direction of the Chinese economy.
   
John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said in his speech at the event that Hong Kong is at the center of the world stage, creating opportunities for a world of business, finance, and investment, and the global financial community believes in Hong Kong and the long-term promise of Hong Kong.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOHN LEE, Chief executive of the HKSAR
"That is what this summit is all about, and that is why you can see the flourishing future of Hong Kong, one that is made possible, thanks to the city's own strengths, and to the fact that it connects the world with the Chinese mainland. Because, simply put, Hong Kong means prosperity."

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the organizer of the event, said that last year's summit signaled Hong Kong's return to normalcy and the international stage. They further mentioned that this year's summit has seen an increased number of international financial leaders, indicating positive industry feedback on last year's event.
   
Wang Hanfeng, managing director of CICC, said the central financial work conference has further strengthened people's expectations of Hong Kong's status as an international financial center.
   
The fact that the summit has attracted the participation of a large number of international financial leaders demonstrates that the international financial industry is closely watching and showing confidence in Hong Kong's and the mainland's economic development and business expansion, Wang said.
   
In the "China: The Way Forward" session, officials of mainland financial regulators provided their perspectives on China's economic prospects and the opening-up in the financial sector.
   
Zhang Qingsong, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, said that China's economy keeps pursuing progress while ensuring stability, while long-term high-quality development is built on a solid foundation.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ZHANG QINGSONG, Deputy governor of the People's Bank of China
"Looking back upon China's economic and social development over the last 40 plus years, we may gain confidence by the very fact that all important goals China set for itself have been achieved, despite very complex internal and external environment."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hong Kong, China.
(XHTV)