Delighted to speak at the 90th birthday party of Bank of China London Branch, the pioneer of modern Chinese banking sector. BOC’s first overseas office in London was the first step in a long journey in which Chinese companies explored global market and made solid foot prints.

For 90 years, BOC has been a participant in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, raising fund for the resistance against Japanese aggression during WWII and making a valuable contribution to the struggle of the Chinese nation to get back on her feet.

Since China began reform and opening up, BOC has been leveraging its strength to facilitate foreign trade and extend the global reach of China’s financial sector. These efforts have given the Chinese nation powerful impetus on its way towards prosperity and greatness.

For 90 years, BOC has cultivated the UK market and provided services to the local people. It has explored new frontiers and grown stronger, becoming a champion for China-UK financial cooperation and a contributor to the prosperity and development of the local community.

Three hopes: First, I hope BOC will continue to be a leader in China-UK cooperation. It issued the first RMB sovereign bond overseas and RMB-denominated sovereign bond of a Western country; listed China’s first green covered bond at LSE; first Asian bank to chair AFB in UK.

Second, I hope BOC will continue to be a promoter of China-UK financial cooperation. Thirty-five large-scale Chinese financial institutions have set up businesses in London. China-UK financial cooperation enjoys a strong momentum. The potential is enormous in FinTech.

Third, I hope BOC will continue contributing to China-UK relations. In 1950s, BOC facilitated the icebreaking trade between China and UK. In the past 3 years, it has paid 230m pounds in tax and offered 600+ jobs. It has also engaged in charity and enriched cultural diversity.