Asian Financial Forum

The Asian Financial Forum (AFF) is an annual event held in Hong Kong that brings together leaders from government, finance, business, and technology to discuss trends and opportunities in the Asian financial markets. The 19th AFF is newsworthy due to several key developments impacting the region. Hong Kong's Chief Executive announced a record high number of foreign and mainland Chinese firms operating in the city, highlighting its continued economic importance. Furthermore, Hong Kong is actively pursuing its goal of becoming a global gold trading hub, with an upcoming agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange to establish a cross-border clearing system. The forum also addresses broader global economic shifts, including China's growing economic power relative to the US, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank's (AIIB) role in funding critical infrastructure projects across Asia amidst geopolitical challenges. Discussions also include advancements in AI, with predictions of AI-designed drugs potentially being approved in China as early as 2026.