The IFF 2019 Annual Meeting (F20) was held in Guangzhou on November 22- 24, with the theme "Global stability: new transition, new development". More than 30 formal discussions were held in the annual meeting, The meeting consists of more than 30 sessions, in various formats such as general assembly, symposiums, leadership dialogues and roundtables, reviewing the following fields: global stability and governance, redesigning global trade system, monetary payment system, big data, form of currency, financial regulatory, Belt and Road Initiative, Fintech, green growth, national and regional cooperation.

Deborah Lehr, IFF Board member, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the Paulson Institute attended the meeting and presided session Global Fintech Summit - Application on Fintech. Which is co-hosted by IFF and the Paulson Institute. Speakers include LI Dongrong, President of National Internet Finance Association of China and Former Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China; Shermin Voshmgir, Director of The Research Institute for Crypto Economics at the Vienna University of Economics had in-depth discussion on financial innovation and regulation of science and technology, finance, and the sustainable development of science and technology, the application of chain blocks, the globalization of financial technology.

Ms. Lehr accepted an interview with Global Times on the application of blockchain technology, green finance and the opportunities and development of China's capital market.

As for the development of fintech in China, Ms. Lehr first acknowledged China's achievements in emerging technologies. Ms. Lehr believes China is a leader in fintech, a strong competitor in blockchain and a global leader in emerging 5G communications technology.

Regarding block chain technology application, Ms. Lehr said that virtual currency faces several challenges. "Facebook plans to issue their own virtual currency, but by a virtual currency issued by non-financial companies will inevitably encounter regulatory hurdles, but also difficult to get the user's trust and confidence of virtual currency."

But Ms. Lehr still thinks block chain technologies applied in the financial sector has the very big advantage, "blockchain can not be tamper with the individual participants. It can improve the transparency of information. To this end, we can raise public users’ confidence and trust in the financial sector and apply blockchain in the supply chain and financial transactions."

Meanwhile, Ms. Lehr shared views on the development of green finance in China in recent years, she believes that green finance will become a new segment of China's financial sector, and green finance will unleash infinite potential.

Ms. Lehr also mentioned the progress of green bonds achieved in China this year that takes the leadership around the world; In addition, China has green insurance and green credit, which are performing well and raise confidence in Chinese green finance as a pioneer.

In addition, Ms. Lehr believes that China also has great potential in the carbon trading market, which is likely to become the largest carbon trading market in the world. There are huge opportunities in this market.