【China Development Forum 2026】HSBC Aiqiao Zhi: Accelerating Pace of Chinese Enterprises Going Global, Strong Momentum in Outbound Direct Investment

HSBC (00005)
CEO Georges Elhedery attended the China Development High-Level Forum 2026 Annual Conference on Sunday (22nd).

During the conference, he stated that China is entering a new development stage and will shape the next era of global growth. The Chinese economy is bringing vitality to emerging industries and has the strength to achieve greater breakthroughs. In this process, Chinese companies are accelerating their “going global” efforts, with strong growth in outward direct investment (ODI), highlighting China’s increasing influence as a major global investor.

Changes in trade structure bring opportunities

He pointed out that structural changes in trade patterns create new opportunities, leading to emerging trade corridors such as China-Southeast Asia and China-Middle East. At the same time, uncertainties caused by tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and military conflicts are increasing. Under the new normal of the global economy, Chinese companies face new challenges and demands in their internationalization process.

Elhedery said that financial institutions need to keep pace with Chinese companies’ “going global” efforts, accelerate building a global interconnected network, and tailor “integrated” innovative financial solutions to meet the different needs at various stages of their international development.

He emphasized that financial institutions should view outbound Chinese companies as part of a coordinated multinational group, rather than independent entities operating in different regions. Establish service teams aligned with the company’s structure to provide seamless, standardized financial support at global and local levels. Efficient and convenient global payment solutions, customized trade financing, and innovative currency risk management products and services can help outbound companies improve management efficiency, optimize working capital, and mitigate trade settlement risks, enabling them to better seize global opportunities.

Strengthening Hong Kong’s financial position

Elhedery also pointed out that accelerating the enhancement of Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center and offshore RMB hub will play an important role. It can further improve the connectivity between mainland China and Hong Kong financial markets, providing international investors with more convenient and efficient risk management tools and products.

He summarized that HSBC, as one of the most invested international financial institutions in China, will continue to invest in the Chinese market, helping overseas clients seize opportunities in China and supporting Chinese companies in expanding globally.

In recent years, HSBC Group has invested billions of RMB in mainland China. After completing the acquisition of Citi’s personal wealth management business in China, HSBC recently launched the first financial service brand in mainland China focused on serving tech and innovation companies, “HSBC Tech & Innovation Finance,” supported by a total of $1.5 billion in credit funds to fully support mainland tech and innovation enterprises leading China’s innovative economic development.

Additionally, HSBC’s Global Training Center in Nansha, Guangzhou, has officially opened. The project, with a total investment of over $150 million, is HSBC Group’s largest globally and the first foreign bank to establish a training center in mainland China aimed at global markets. It aims to become one of the knowledge hubs for the financial industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Providing cross-border financial services for outbound Chinese companies

To support Chinese companies in expanding into international markets, HSBC has established the “Overseas Service Department for Chinese Enterprises” in 28 countries and regions worldwide, staffed by about 120 experienced professionals fluent in Chinese. They coordinate with multiple markets globally to provide local and cross-border financial services for outbound Chinese companies.

HSBC has been actively participating in and supporting China’s financial opening-up initiatives and has benefited from them. Currently, its services in mainland China cover banking, insurance (including insurance brokerage), funds, securities, and fintech, with business scale continuously expanding. It has become the largest foreign bank in China in terms of asset size.