Vancouver International Financial Summit (VIFS) and the 5th Fudan Forum were successfully held at the Westin Wall Centre. As a premier annual financial event, the summit was co-hosted by FX168 Finance Group, the Fudan University Alumni Association of Vancouver, the Vancouver Liaison Office of the School of Economics, Fudan University, the Canadian Community Service Association (CCSA), the Tongji University Alumni Association of Vancouver, and the Fudan Development Institute. The event brought together distinguished scholars, financial leaders, policymakers, and investors from both China and Canada, filling the venue to capacity.
A High-Level Gathering with a Global Vision
The conference focused on three central themes: global macroeconomic trends, stablecoins and emerging financial innovations, and new directions in global asset allocation. More than just a platform for sharing financial insights, the summit also underscored the deepening integration of Chinese and Canadian financial and cultural exchange.
The summit was co-hosted by Grace from FX168 Finance Group and Kitty from the Canadian Community Service Association, under the theme: “The Era of Financial Fission: Who Holds the Key to the Future?” Their guidance inspired thought-provoking dialogue, capital exchange, and forward-looking discussion.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Tai Jiang, Chairman & CEO of FX168 Finance Group and CEO of EcoChain Financial Asset Management Group, emphasized that the true essence of finance lies in “connecting to the future.” He noted that this summit transcended East-West boundaries and would provide investors with both deep insights and practical strategies.
Delivering the opening remarks, Mr. Zhi Zeng, Acting Consul General of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver, warmly congratulated the successful convening of the forum. He highlighted that this year marks both the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Canada and the 20th anniversary of their strategic partnership. Despite the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, and a challenging global economic environment, bilateral trade remained resilient, reaching CAD 50.73 billion in the first half of 2025, with CAD 11.546 billion contributed by British Columbia, a 9.7% year-on-year increase. He underscored the irreversible long-term positive trajectory of China’s economy, pointing to the rise of new productive forces, AI, and high-tech industries as key drivers of global growth.
Additional congratulatory speeches were delivered by Ms. Shaojun Liang, President of the Tongji University Alumni Association of Vancouver, and Mr. Binqing Fu, CEO of PT. FUYU Aquatic International, a Platinum Sponsor of the summit. Ms. Liang also fondly recalled her student days with Professor Sun, bringing a warm and personal touch to the academic atmosphere.
In his opening acknowledgment speech, Mr. Yongping Yuan, President of the Fudan University Alumni Association of Vancouver, noted that the summit carried special significance, coinciding with the 120th anniversary of Fudan University and the 40th anniversary of the restoration of its School of Economics.
Academic Highlights: Launch of the Fudan-ZEW Economic Sentiment Index Overseas
A major highlight of the summit was the first-ever overseas release of the “Fudan-ZEW Economic Sentiment Index”, presented by Professor Lijian Sun, a renowned Chinese economist, Director of the Fudan Financial Research Center, Distinguished Professor at Fudan University, and PhD advisor, who led a team of experts from Shanghai.
In his keynote speech, “China’s Economy in a Global Perspective and the Release of the 143rd Fudan-ZEW Index,” Professor Sun presented the core theme of “finding certainty amid uncertainty.” Drawing on economic data from China, the U.S., and Europe, he highlighted three key insights:
- Value-Chain Finance to Stimulate Demand: advancing innovation through financial sub-sectors such as technology, green finance, pension finance, inclusive finance, and digital finance;
- New Regional and Supply Chain Dynamics: Chinese enterprises’ international expansion forming a virtuous cycle of overseas production and domestic consumption;
- A New Ecosystem of Openness and Governance: maintaining currency stability, risk prevention, and market vitality to foster global co-responsibility.
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