Distinguished IFF chairmen, members and guests:
As an old member of IFF, I have been hosting the International Finance Forum (IFF) for a long time. In the past 14 years, IFF has experienced an extraordinary journey with historical milestones, and now ushers into the new era of development. Here, on behalf of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on the achievements of the IFF!
At present, the world's economic growth momentum is insufficient, and the global economic and trade investment rules and economic governance system have entered a period of deep adjustment. That is why it is urgent to cultivate new growth driving force. The bay areas are a leading growth power for the global economy and a leader in technological change, also a global hub for technology, innovation, finance and industry. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is the fourth largest bay area in the world after the ones in New York, San Francisco and Tokyo. It will be an important space carrier for China to build a world-class city agglomeration and participate in global competition.
In March 2017, Premier Li Keqiang first mentioned the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the Government Work Report, and clearly stated to formulate a development plan for the urban agglomeration of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, which means that the construction of the Greater Bay Area rises to the national strategic level. On July 1, 2017, the Framework Agreement on Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation in the Development of the Bay Area was signed in Hong Kong. President Xi Jinping attended the signing ceremony. The 19th National Congress depicts the grand blueprint for China's development in the new era. It clearly proposes to focus on the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, to form the linkage between the land and the sea, to open to both the East and West, and to optimize the regional openness plan and other strategic measures.
The IFF actively responded to the national strategy and settled in Guangzhou, Nansha to build a platform for international cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and to build a demonstration zone of 21st century Maritime Silk Road financial cooperation through the spirit of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits. This will fully mobilize the global resources and network of IFF to establish itself as a global platform and think tank, and the global financial F20 for the world. This will undoubtedly be the most important innovation of the development concept in the new era.
The IFF has gone through a 14-year history from the initial stage to steady development. It is about to enter its fifteenth year and will also usher into the the new era of development. As the first meeting after the signing of strategic cooperation between IFF and Guangzhou municipal government, this annualmeeting will focus on “Global Bay Area Development: New Drive, New Growth, New Order” and bring together global wisdom to create a world-class Greater Bay Area, and promote the Pearl River Delta as China's international gateway to the world. This is not only an important step for IFF to move toward a platform which is more international and of higher level, but also an important opportunity for Guangzhou to showcase the image and financial strength to the world and to attract high-end financial resources and elements around the world.
In the future, IFF will serve as five platforms, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, further promote international financial public diplomacy, strengthen the construction of the F20 global network, and contribute wisdom and strength to economic development and recovery through IFF Silk Road International Association. We hope that five years later, on the twentieth anniversary of IFF, we will see the IFF as the true global F20. At that time, I hope that IFF can become the world's third largest forum with independent legal person, independent headquarters, and independent international voice after the Davos Forum and Boao Forum.
Here, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the support and participation of more than 200 members in the past 14 years. We also hope that in the future, at the critical moment of IFF's new development stage, we can still account on your support. With the enthusiasm and greater energy, we can participate in the construction of IFF and build a global financial F20.
I wish the 14th IFF Annual Meeting a complete success!
(This article is the speech of Mr. Jin Liqun at the 14th IFF Annual Meeting)