The 2024 Tianjin Wudadao Financial Forum, organized by Nankai University and undertaken by its School of Finance and Institute of Chinese Path to Modernization, took place in Tianjin from October 12 to 13. With the theme of “Building a Financial Powerhouse and Developing a Financial Innovation Operation Demonstration Zone”, the forum brought together approximately 350 representatives from national authorities, central financial institutions, leading private financial organizations, nationwide financial industry associations, prestigious universities, and think tanks. They engaged in thought-provoking discussions on advancing science and technology finance, green finance, inclusive finance, pension finance, and digital finance, seeking pathways to bolster the high-level development of Tianjin’s Financial Innovation Operation Demonstration Zone.

The opening ceremony of the forum on October 13 was attended by Wang Jiang, Deputy Director of the Office of Central Financial Commission; Zhang Gong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee and Mayor of Tianjin; Dai Xianglong, former Governor of the People’s Bank of China and former Mayor of Tianjin; Yi Gang, Chairman of the Council for the China Society for Finance and Banking; Liu Guiping, a member of the Standing Committee of CPC Tianjian Municipal Committee and Executive Deputy Mayor of Tianjin; Lu Lei, Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China; Cong Lin, Deputy Director of the National Financial Regulatory Administration; Li Ming, Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission; Wang Xu, a member of the Standing Committee of CPC Tianjian Municipal Committee; Yang Qingshan, Chancellor of Nankai University; Li Hongyan, Deputy Director of State Administration of Foreign Exchange; Zhu Min, former Deputy Governor of People’s Bank of China; Li Dongrong, former Deputy Governor of People’s Bank of China; Chen Wenhui, Dean of Northern Finance Institute; and Wang Zhiheng, Governor of Agricultural Bank of China. Chen Yulu, President of Nankai University and Vice Chairman of the Council for the China Society for Finance and Banking, presided over the ceremony.

In his opening remarks, Zhang Gong highlighted Tianjin’s deep-rooted financial heritage, well-established industry systems, and dynamic culture of innovation ecosystem, noting that these strengths position Tianjin to seize the new opportunities for growth. He stated that the forum seeks to honor Tianjin’s century-old financial traditions, explore challenges and opportunities, and chart the future of financial development.

Yang Qingshan noted Nankai University’s pivotal role in the historical trajectory of China’s financial development. He emphasized that Nankai’s finance discipline enjoys widespread recognition both domestically and globally. Going forward, the university would leverage platforms such as the Wudadao Financial Forum and the newly established National Institute for Innovation and Finance to create an innovative financial education model, build a high-end think tank, and develop a world-class finance discipline.

During the opening ceremony, Liu Guiping and Yang Qingshan unveiled the National Institute for Innovation and Finance at Nankai University.

While presiding over the ceremony, Chen Yulu explained that the institute aims to serve as a premier center for financial research, a high-level think tank, and a training base for interdisciplinary financial professionals. It will promote university-enterprise collaboration, foster deeper industry-university-research cooperation, and accelerate the application of research outcomes in finance.

The main forum featured keynote speeches from distinguished experts: Dai Xianglong, Yi Gang, Zhu Min, Chen Wenhui and Wang Zhiheng. The keynote session was chaired by Liang Qi, Vice Chancellor of Nankai University.

Dai Xianglong delivered a keynote speech on financial reform and innovation in Tianjin.

Yi Gang delivered a keynote speech on green finance.

Zhu Min delivered a keynote speech on green finance.

Chen Wenhui delivered a keynote speech on finance and aging.

Wang Zhiheng presented innovative practices and strategies at the Agricultural Bank of China.

The forum also featured three parallel sub-forums and a closed-door exchange meeting, where participants engaged in discussions on topics such as “Building a Financial Innovation Operation Demonstration Zone to Drive Technological and Industry Innovation”, “Green Lease Promoting Low-Carbon Industrial Transformation”, and “Digital Finance for Industries to Enhance New Productive Forces”.

This forum served as a platform to exchange ideas, build consensus, gather momentum for progress, and clarify strategic directions. It sought to reinforce a shared vision to support the high-quality development of Tianjin’s Financial Innovation Operation Demonstration Zone and to advance a path of financial development with distinct Chinese characteristics.

（Edited and translated by Nankai News Team.)