The Digital Finance Forum, one of the major events of the World Internet Conference (WIC) Asia-Pacific Summit, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on April 15 under the theme of "Inclusive Finance Empowered by Digital Intelligence". 

WIC Secretary-General Ren Xianliang; Zhang Donggang, Chair of the University Council at Renmin University of China; Dr Hon Johnny Ng Kit-chong, legislative councilor (Election Committee) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Daryl Ho, executive director (monetary management) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority; and Shadlog Bernicke, minister of Information and Communications Technology of Nauru, all gave opening remarks at the forum.

Other guests shared their views on "Digital Intelligence Tools for Financial Inclusion" and discussed AI's role in building inclusive financial systems in the digital age. They included Zhang Zhongliang, deputy head of the Publicity Department of CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and director of its Cyberspace Affairs Office; Chen Dangyang, chairman of OneConnect Financial Technology; Chen Leiming, senior vice-president of Ant Group; Ivan Zyuulu, Zambian ambassador to China; and Tan Poh Hwee, president of the Asia Academy of Digital Economics.

Keynote speakers, including Ambrose Wong, chief executive and chief risk officer of PAO Bank Limited; Shen Jianguang, vice-president and chief economist of JD; Steffanie Yuen, managing director and head of Hong Kong at Endowus; and Alvin Kwock, co-founder of AIFT, analyzed the potential of digitalization and intelligence to drive innovation in the financial sector from an industry perspective.

Two reports - "Research Report on Commercial Banks' Data Element-Based Financial Products and Services" co-authored by Renmin University of China and China Everbright Bank and "FinTech Empowering the Belt and Road Initiative: A Case Study of Southeast Asia"- authored by the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University, were officially released at the forum, as outcomes of the WIC Think Tank Cooperation Program.

Hosted by the WIC and sponsored by financial conglomerate Ping An, the forum attracted attendees from government departments, international organizations, enterprises, universities, and research institutions.