HKICPA Greater Bay Area Summit 2023

The Elite Gathering of Scholars and Leaders

Promote Opportunities for the Development in GBA

(Hong Kong, 20 November 2023) The Greater Bay Area is one of the most open and economically dynamic regions in China, presenting new opportunities for the accounting profession. The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) held the Greater Bay Area Summit 2023 (GBA Summit) on 17 Nov 2023, focusing on how the 9+2 cities should enhance collaboration and exert their respective potential and strengths in building a better future together within the current rapidly changing environment. The summit brought together business leaders, elite members of the accounting profession, scholars, leading experts, and representatives from different professional fields, to facilitate exchanges and discussions among cross-industry elites. The summit was a resounding success within the industry, attracting over 200 professionals and participants from Hong Kong and Mainland.

The theme of the GBA Summit was "CPAs for the GBA: Navigating Changes, Driving Growth," with the aim of gathering insights from various fields to promote urban collaboration in the GBA, support business development, seize diverse opportunities, and collectively build a better future. Speakers and participants at the summit delivered speeches and exchanged views on numerous hot topics. The summit was opened with speeches from Ms. Loretta Fong, President of the HKICPA, and the officiating guests, Mr. Joseph Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of The Government of HKSAR, Mr. Steven Li, Deputy Director-General Department of Administration and Finance of the Liaison Office of The Central People's Government in the HKSAR, , marking the beginning of this grand event.

Mr. Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s important role in the GBA: "Under the principle of 'one country, two systems,' we have advantages such as the free flow of capital, a common law system, a simple tax regime, and regulatory systems that align with major international markets. By fully utilizing the advantages of Hong Kong's financial system and the country’s support for financial openness and innovation in the GBA, Hong Kong can play a leading role and enhance complementarity and mutual benefits with the cities in the GBA, supporting and leading the opening up of the national economy. The development of the Greater Bay Area will also drive market demand for strategic accounting services, opening up more space for the development of the accounting industry. The HKSAR government also attaches great importance to the development of accounting, particularly in supporting collaboration between the Hong Kong professional accounting bodies and mainland representatives to promote talent exchange and training."

Mr. Li shared on the the national plan for the GBA: "The central government fully supports Hong Kong in seizing the historical opportunities brought by the country’s development, as well as Hong Kong in maintaining its unique position and advantages in the long-term. As the international common business language, accounting plays an important role as a bridging link in the integration and development of the GBA economy. The Hong Kong accounting industry is highly international and enjoys close international connections while being familiar with the mainland market.  Hong Kong also has the unique advantage of being backed by the motherland and being connected across the world."

In Ms. Loretta Fong’s welcome speech, she said: "This year marks the 50th anniversary of HKICPA, and one of the three major focuses of the Institute is to help members seize the opportunities in the GBA. In 2019, the Institute established the 'GBA Committee' and has maintained a good relationship with the government departments, accounting associations, and higher education institutions in the GBA. We actively advocate for convenient cross-border practice and qualification recognition mechanisms between Guangdong and Hong Kong, and promotes mutually beneficial cooperation between the accounting industries in both areas. The Institute also collaborated with various cities in the Mainland, launching a series of webinars. After the border reopened in March this year, the Institute organized the 'GBA Field Visit Series', which facilitated members to personally experience, interact with local counterparts and businesses, and seek out partners for mutual development."

Ms. Loretta Fong continued, "Hong Kong has always been a business hub connecting the Mainland and the international community and is also one of the globally renowned international financial centers. It has cultivated and trained a large number of experienced and internationally-minded accounting professionals. I believe that professionals from both regions can complement each other and achieve a win-win situation in areas such as helping Mainland enterprises to go global and attracting foreign investment, making contributions to the high-quality development of GBA."

Mr. Geng Xiao, Professor of Practice in The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Director of the Institute of Policy and Practice of the Shenzhen Finance Institute, and member of Chief Executive's Policy Unit Expert Group of HKSAR, delivered the keynote speech on "Seizing the opportunities of change and unleashing the potential of the 9+2 cities in GBA." He provided different cases and explanations of various systems while setting the tone for the discussion on the long-term development of the GBA, emphasizing that the greatest challenge in the development is to overcome institutional obstacles through innovation, specifically mentioning the need for dual driving forces in technological and institutional innovation in the planning of the GBA.

Leaders from all walks of professions exchange ideas on hot topics in GBA

In addition to the keynote speeches, the GBA Summit also featured three panel discussions exploring various hot topics with different elite leaders from various sectors. The guest speakers shared unique perspectives and experiences, revealing the latest opportunities and challenges in the GBA to attendees    .

The first panel discussion "Enhancing Bay Area Collaboration and Building a Prospective Future" was hosted by Mr. Wilson Pang, Head of Advisory, Southern Region and Head of Our Impact Plan of KPMG. He led a panel including Ms Loretta Lee, Head, Mainland and GBA Business Development of Invest Hong Kong,  Mr. Tainlong Yu, Vice General Manager of Kerry Properties (Shenzhen) Limited, Mr. Thomas Ho, General Manager (Macau) of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, Ms. Mona Qiu, Head of Corporate, Legal and Commercial Affairs, China of  Li & Fung Limited, and Mr. Edward Au, Southern Region Managing Partner of Deloitte and Vice President of HKICPA. The panel discussed how different cities in the Greater Bay Area could leverage their respective strengths to enhance cooperation and create a prosperous future in GBA.

In the second panel discussion "Attracting Talent, Building a Sustainable Bay Area," Ms. Jasmine Lee, EY Hong Kong and Macau Managing Partner, led a panel that included Mr. Kai-ming Ho, JP, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, The Government of HKSAR, Ms. Olivia Liang, Partner of Russell Reynolds Associates, Mr. Roy Leung, Partner of KPMG and Vice President of the HKICPA, Ms. Zoe Ko, Managing Director of the SZ-HK Collaborative Innovation Research Institute in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Mr. David Zhang, Senior Vice President of Human Resources of LKKHPG, to discuss the talent development strategy in GBA. The speakers shared insights on the focal points and future prospects of talent policies across different cities in GBA, while also exploring how Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau can promote talent mobility, achieve talent sharing, and ensure sustainable talent development within the region.

In the final panel, "Deepening Financial Innovation, Leveraging Bay Area Connectivity to the World," the guests discussed how to enhance and optimize financial market connectivity in the Greater Bay Area, and further promote innovative development in the capital markets of the Greater Bay Area, improving the radiance of the Hong Kong capital market and utilizing the institutional advantages of the Qianhai, Nansha, Hengqin, and Hetao areas. This segment was led by Mr. Benson Cheng, Partner in PwC Hong Kong, and included Mr. Kenny Shui, Vice President cum Co-Head of Research of Our Hong Kong Foundation, Mr. Chen Li, Associate Professor, Centre of China Studies of The China University of Hong Kong, Research Fellow(by courtesy) of Lau Chor Tak Institute of Global Economics and Finance, Ms. Yunli Zou, Managing partner of Tiantu Capital and Mr. Timothy Shen, Chairman of Safari Asia Limited. The topics were thoroughly discussed by the panel.

Mr. Robert Lui, Chairman of the Greater Bay Area Committee of HKICPA and Audit & Assurance Partner, Deloitte China, delivered the closing remarks, thanking the guests, co-organizers, and supporting organizations, and expressed his hope for the future: "I would like to express my gratitude to all colleagues and members who have attended this summit. I encourage you to make full use of this opportunity to connect with the industry in the GBA, actively explore innovative modes of  cooperation, broaden the scope of business cooperation, and promote the high-quality and in-depth integration of the accounting industry in the three regions. The institute will continue to maintain close communication with fellow colleagues in Guangdong. We will continue to organize field visits, seminars, forums, and other activities to facilitate practical cooperation opportunities among accountants in the three regions and promote the common progress and development of the industry."

^{Mr. Joseph Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of The Government of HKSAR (4th from the right), Mr. Steven Li, Deputy Director-General Department of Administration and Finance of the Liaison Office of The Central People's Government in the HKSAR (3rd from the right), Prof. Geng Xiao from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (4th from the left), and Ms. Loretta Fong, President of the HKICPA (center), along with other distinguished guests, opened the 2023 Greater Bay Area Summit.}

^{Prof. Geng Xiao from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, delivered a keynote speech on "Seizing the Opportunities of Change, Unleashing the 9+2 Potential of the Bay Area," outlining the foundational principles for development in the Greater Bay Area.}

^{The summit featured three specialized discussions, bringing together representatives from the business, accounting, and academic sectors, as well as leading think tanks across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for exchanges and discussions.}

^{The 2023 Greater Bay Area Summit organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants attracted over 200 participants to attend the event in Shenzhen, marking its resounding success.}

香港會計師公會舉辦 大灣區高峰論壇2023

雲集粵港澳學者精英  推動大灣區發展機遇

（香港，2023年11月20日）粵港澳大灣區是中國開放程度最高、經濟活力最強的區域之一，也為會計界帶來新機遇。於2023年11月17日舉行的香港會計師公會舉辦大灣區高峰論壇2023，聚焦在當今飛速變遷的環境下，大灣區9+2個城市應如何提升協作，發揮各自潛能和優勢，合力構建美好未來。峰會匯聚粵港澳三地商界、會計界翹楚、學術和領先智庫專家及其它專業界別的代表出席，旨在聚集跨業界精英進行交流切磋。是次高峰論壇吸引超過200名來自香港及內地的專業人士及參加者親臨現場出席，成就業界矚目盛事。

公會大灣區高峰論壇2023以《CPAs for the GBA: 領航變遷，力促增長》為主題，旨在匯聚各界精英智慧，促進大灣區城市協作，助力企業發展及迎接各種機遇，共建更好未來。出席論壇的講者及與會者就多個熱門議題進行演講及交流見解。大灣區高峰論壇獲香港特別行政區政府財經事務及庫務局副局長陳浩濂先生、中央人民政府駐香港聯絡辦公室行政財務部副部長李旭鴻先生作主禮嘉賓以及香港會計師公會會長方蘊萱女士致開幕詞，一同為此盛事揭開序幕。

陳浩濂副局長致辭中指出，香港在大灣區中扮演重要的角色：「在一國兩制下，我們擁有資金自由流動的優勢、普通法的制度、簡單的稅制和與主要國際市場接軌的監管制度等，透過充份把握香港金融體制的優勢和國家對大灣區金融開放創新的支持，香港可以發揮引領的帶動作用，加強和大灣區城市的互補互利，提升大灣區在國家經濟發展對外開放的極積支持引領作用。大灣區的建設同時會帶動市場對會計戰略服務的需求，為會計行業開拓更廣泛的發展空間。特區政府也十分重視會計的發展，尤其支持香港會計專業團體多與內地代表合作推動人材交流和培訓。」

李旭鴻副部長亦就現時國家對大灣區規劃作出分享：「中央全力支持香港抓住國家發展帶來的歷史機遇，中央政府完全支持香港長期保持獨特地位和優勢。會計作為國際通用的商業語言，在大灣區經濟融合發展中扮演著重要的橋樑紐帶作用。香港會計行業國際化程度高，與國際聯繫密切，同時也熟悉內地市場。具有背靠祖國，連通世界的獨特優勢。」

方蘊萱會長在歡迎辭中表示：「今年是香港會計師公會50周年，公會三大工作重點之一是幫助會員把握大灣區機遇。公會於2019年成立了『大灣區委員會』，與大灣區各級政府、會計師協會、高等院校保持著良好的關係，積極倡導粵港便利跨境執業及資格認受機制，推動兩地會計行業互利合作。公會亦和內地各市合作，推出了一系列線上研討會。今年3月通關後，公會第一時間組織了《大灣區實地考察系列》活動，為會員牽綫搭橋，到本地親身體驗，接觸本地同行和企業，尋找合作夥伴，謀求共同發展。」

方女士續指：「香港一直以來是連接內地和國際的商業樞紐， 也是享譽全球的國際金融中心之一，培養和訓練了大量經驗豐富、擁有國際視野的會計專業人才，我相信兩地同業一定可以互補優勢，在幫助內地企業走出去、將外資引進來等領域實現雙贏，為大灣區的高質量發展做出貢獻。」

在高峰論壇上，香港中文大學（深圳）教授、深圳高等金融研究院政策與實踐研究所所長、香港特別行政區特首政策組專家組成員肖耿先生擔任主題討論的嘉賓，以《把握變遷機遇，釋放灣區9+2潛能》為主題，大灣區如何進一步長遠發展定下基調，提供不同的案例和解釋不同的體制。他指出：「大灣區的發展最大的挑戰是要通過創新克服制度上的障礙。河套地區的規劃就特別提到要科技創新和制度創新雙輪驅動。」

各界翹楚交流大灣區熱門議題

除了主題演講，大灣區高峰論壇亦設有三場專題討論，分別邀得不同界別的精英領導，探討各種熱門議題，嘉賓講者們分享獨到觀點和經驗，讓與會者掌握大灣區最新機遇和挑戰。

第一場專題討論《提升灣區協同、構建共興未來》由畢馬威粵港澳大灣區戰略與發展中心主管合夥人彭富強先生主持，帶領香港投資推廣署內地及大灣區業務發展主管李淑菁女士、嘉里建設（深圳）有限公司副總經理于天龍先生、阿里雲智能澳門區總經理何遠標先生、利豐集團中國事務、法務及商務總監丘建敏女士及德勤中國華南區主管合夥人、香港會計師公會歐振興副會長一同討論有關大灣區不同城市如何發揮各自優勢，提升協同力量以打造共興大灣區未來。

在《招賢納士，建設可持續灣區》的專題討論中，由主持人安永會計師事務所香港及澳門區主管合夥人李舜兒女士帶領香港特別行政區政府勞工及福利局副局長何啟明先生、羅盛諮詢合夥人梁渢女士、畢馬威會計師事務所合夥人香港會計師公會副會長梁思傑先生、香港科技大學深港協同創新研究院執行總監高淩雲女士以及李錦記集團人力資源高級副總裁張慶中先生，一起討論大灣區人才發展策略。講者分享大灣區各城市人才政策的焦點、展望未來，同時探討粵港澳大灣區如何推動人才流動、實現人才共用及人才在大灣區的可持續發展。

最後一場專題討論《深化金融創新，立足灣區聯通世界》中，嘉賓們探討了如何提升和優化大灣區金融市場互聯互通，並在現有的基礎上進一步推動大灣區資本市場的創新發展，提升香港資本市場的輻射能力、用好前海、南沙、橫琴、河套等地的制度優勢。本節討論由羅兵咸永道審計合夥人鄭善斌先生帶領團結香港基金副總裁兼研究部聯席主管水志偉先生、香港中文大學中國研究中心副教授、劉佐德全球經濟及金融研究所禮任研究員黎晨先生、天圖資本執行董事鄒雲麗女士、十八里亞洲有限公司主席沈嘉奕先生就議題展開深入交流。

香港會計師公會大灣區委員會主席、德勤資本市場華南區領導合夥人呂志宏先生致閉幕辭，感謝出席的嘉賓、協辦機構和支持機構，並提出對未來的展望：「我謹向出席本次高峰論壇的所有同仁、會員表示感謝，同時鼓勵你們充分利用這機會，與大灣區業界建立聯繫，積極探索創新合作模式，拓寬業務合作領域，促進三地會計界高質量深度融合。公會將一如既往，與廣東同業緊密溝通，加強交流。繼續通過組織實地考察、舉辦研討會、論壇等活動，為三地會計師牽線搭橋，創造實務合作機會，推進業界共同進步、發展。」

^{香港特別行政區政府財經事務及庫務局副局長陳浩濂先生(右四)、中央人民政府駐香港聯絡辦公室行政財務部副部長李旭鴻先生(右三)、香港中文大學（深圳）肖耿教授(左四)及香港會計師公會會長方蘊萱女士(中)聯同一眾嘉賓，為大灣區高峰會議2023揭開序幕。}

^{主題演講嘉賓香港中文大學（深圳）肖耿教授以《把握變遷機遇，釋放灣區9+2潛能》為題，提出如何為在大灣區發展定下基調。}

^{高峰論壇共舉行三場專題討論，匯聚了粵港澳三地商界、會計界翹楚、學術和領先智庫專家及其它專業界別的代表出席交流。}

^{香港會計師公會大灣區高峰論壇2023吸引超過200名參加者親臨深圳出席活動，成就業界矚目盛事。}