By Mirjam Haab, Junior Project Manager - Science Outreach & Diplomacy
On April 23, swissnex China had the immense honour to organize for the President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Finance Mr. Ueli Maurer the Future of Money: Brilliance in Fintech event. On the occasion of his State Visit to China, Ueli Maurer attended the Shanghai event accompanied by two delegations of official and financial dignitaries. Among the delegations were the State Secretary, three Ambassadors, the President of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, the Chairmen of SIX and SwissBanking and high-ranking representatives from all sectors of the Swiss financial world.
The continuation of swissnex China’s “Future of Money” series was on the topic: “New Technologies in Financial Markets: How China and Switzerland can benefit from each other”.
President of the Swiss Confederation meets with Swiss and Chinese delegations. (From left: Felix Moesner, CEO & Science Consul of swissnex China, Dr David Chang, Vice President of Shanghai Blockchain Association, Mr Peilung Li, Founder and Chairman of LUN Partners, Dean Charles Chang of Fanhai International School of Finance, Fudan University, Mr Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), Dr Romeo Lacher, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SIX, Dr Daniela Stoffel, State Secretary for International Finance, Mr Herbert J. Scheidt, Chairman of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), Prof Thomas Puschmann, Director of Swiss FinTech Innovation Lab, University of Zurich)
After a welcome speech by Wenzhon Jin (CEO of Orient Securities), President Ueli Maurer held the first keynote speech. He addressed two thought-provoking trade-offs emerging concomitant with new financial technologies. The second keynote speech by Herbert J. Scheidt, Chairman of the Swiss Bankers Association, concentrated on Switzerland as a Fintech enabler and catered some key data on recent developments.
Mr Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss Confederation delivers an opening keynote speech, calling for the Sino-Swiss collaboration and mutual benefit in fintech.
Mr Herbert J. Scheidt, Chairman of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) delivers a keynote speech.
A highly relevant panel discussion moderated by Dr. David Chang (Vice President of Shanghai Blockchain Association) ensued the keynote speeches. The five top-class panellists were Dr. Daniela Stoffel (State Secretary for International Finance), Prof. Charles Chang (Dean of Fanhai Institute for International Finance at Fudan University), Dr. Romeo Lacher (Chairman of the Board of Directors of SIX), Peilung Li (Founder and Chairman of LUN Partners Group) and Prof. Thomas Puschmann (Director of the SwissFinTech Innovation Lab at University of Zurich). Some of the main discussion points revolved around regulatory frameworks, the handling of strictly regulated incumbents when unregulated disruptors enter the market, and how Sino-Swiss synergies could benefit both countries, for example regarding the Belt and Road initiative.
Moderated by Dr David Chang, Vice President of Shanghai Blockchain Association, the panel discussion features topics on current regulatory framework, traditional wealth management industry and Fintech startups.
Orient Securities provided the event location in the South Bund area, allowing for a subsequent networking opportunity with a spectacular view of the Shanghai skyline.
The Swiss and Chinese delegations gathered for the networking cocktail reception at the Bund .
Thank you for the close collaboration with the Swiss Confederation, SwissBanking, SIX, University of Zurich, FISF Fudan University, Orient Securities, Blocknology Capital, The Asian Banker and Presence Switzerland.
All in all, the event was a financial extravaganza with first-class keynote speakers and panellists as well as top-level guests. The event was a great opportunity to shed light on the Venture Leaders Fintech program, which will take place in November 2019 in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
