26 January 2026 

The School of Business (SBUS) at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) launched its first China Business Forum on 24–25 January 2026 at the Hopewell Hotel in Wanchai. This flagship event assembled an exceptional lineup of over 100 participants, including distinguished scholars from leading universities across the Asia-Pacific region, the United States, and the United Kingdom, alongside government officials and business leaders. They examined the latest developments in the Chinese business landscape, explore strategies for innovation, and discuss collaboration opportunities. Participants engaged in thoughtful discussions on key developments, including policy trends, financial markets, modern enterprise management, and integrated marketing strategies in China. They explored emerging opportunities and challenges while identifying pathways for deeper collaboration between industry and academia.

The Forum was strengthened by a robust network of partner universities: full member universities from Chinese Mainland included Central University of Finance and Economics, Fudan University, Tongji University and Peking University; associate members featured China Europe International Business School, NYU Shanghai Center for Business Education and Research, Hanyang University in South Korea, University of San Francisco in the US, and University College London School of Management in the UK. Representatives from these institutions signed a joint declaration, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing academic exchanges, collaborative research, and the development of future scholars.

In his opening address, Professor Simon S M Ho, President of HSUHK, underscored Hong Kong’s distinctive position as a vital bridge linking China with the global community. He envisioned the Forum as an enduring platform rooted in knowledge, trust, and mutual prosperity, noting, “This Forum is not merely a conference — it embodies a vision to foster dialogue between academia and industry, integrate research with practical experience, and transform diverse ideas into impactful outcomes.”

Professor Sam Park, Dean of SBUS, highlighted the power of the strategic integration of research and industry wisdom, and the importance of nurturing future scholars and practitioners. He remarked, “By combining rigorous academic research with rich practical experience, and by empowering young scholars, knowledge can become more relevant and impactful.”

Mr Joseph Chan, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government, and Mr Joe Ngai, Greater China Chairman of McKinsey & Company, delivered keynote speeches, sharing valuable insights into government policy directions and emerging business trends. In his keynote, Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. He emphasised the city’s role as a super connector between China and international markets, citing its leadership in IPO fundraising, offshore RMB liquidity, green finance, and fintech innovation. Mr Ngai then drew on timely insights from the World Economic Forum just concluded in Davos, noting 18 potential arenas shaping the future — in particular the emergent arenas ranging from space and cybersecurity to robotics, air mobility, and video games, etc.. He emphasised that China already has strong players in the top 10 arenas, underscoring its global competitiveness. Mr Ngai further highlighted agentic AI as the next paradigm shift, revolutionising how we work and collaborate across industries. Thriving in the next era means embracing “hybrid intelligence”.

The Forum also featured a range of expert dialogue sessions, including the “Deans’ Council Fireside Chat”, industry panels, and in-depth roundtable discussions. These sessions explored effective ways to bridge academic research with practical business expertise, underscored Hong Kong’s pivotal position as an international financial centre within the broader Chinese business ecosystem, and examined innovative market strategies. Through these exchanges, the Forum strengthened collaboration between academia and industry, promoted industry development, and supported the nurturing of future scholars and business leaders.

Complementing the keynote and industry sessions, the Forum invited faculty from various business disciplines to showcase their latest research findings and engage in substantive discussions with participants. A “Young Scholars Roundtable” was also arranged to offer a valuable platform for PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career academics to present their work, receive constructive feedback, and establish professional networks with senior scholars.

Forum details: https://sbus.hsu.edu.hk/events/cbf2026/