From June 29 to July 2, 2025, the China International Conference in Finance (CICF) 2025 was successfully held in Shenzhen. Founded in 2002, CICF has grown into Asia’s largest and most prestigious academic finance conference and ranks among the top globally. More than 1,300 leading scholars in finance and economics from around the world convened at the conference in Shenzhen, China, to explore key topics that pioneer new directions of academic research.
This year’s attendance set a new record for in-person participation. The conference received 1,758 paper submissions from 3,056 authors worldwide, with 236 papers accepted. A total of 385 presenters and discussants actively participated in sessions covering hot topics such as AI applications in finance, green finance and ESG, behavioral finance and asset pricing, and capital structure and asset management.
As a co-organizer, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) played a key role in providing academic contributions and organizing the conference, underscoring the school’s influence and capabilities in international financial research.
Professor Wang Neng, CKGSB Dean’s Distinguished Chair Professor of Finance and Senior Associate Dean, served as Program Chair of this year’s CICF and delivered a keynote speech. He emphasized the important role that CICF plays as a world-class platform for financial academia.
Professor Wang noted that six out of the 60 academic sessions and 44 accepted papers focused on China-related topics, reflecting strong global interest in China’s financial landscape and CICF’s longstanding commitment to a China-rooted and globally connected strategy.
He credited the success of the conference to the collaborative efforts of co-hosting institutions, academic partners, and all participants. He emphasized that academic exchange is vital to advancing financial research and aligning it with the real economy.
Several CKGSB professors also took on key roles at the event, serving as session chairs, paper presenters, and discussants—demonstrating the school’s deep academic strength and thought leadership.
Other CKGSB faculty members including Professor Huang Chunyan, Professor Zhang Xingtan, Associate Professor of Accounting Na Ke, and Assistant Professor of Finance Mei Danqing also participated as paper discussants, contributing expert perspectives.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Thomas J. Sargent delivered a keynote speech titled “Implementing Optimal Fiscal Policy with Short Term Debt.” He shared findings from his latest research co-authored with CKGSB Professor Wang Neng and HKUST Professor Jiang Wei. The study offers new approaches for designing and implementing sustainable fiscal policy, particularly relevant amid rising government debt levels worldwide.
The 2025 CICF marked a milestone for the global finance research community. It not only strengthened international academic exchange, but also deepened China’s integration into global financial research.
In response to the rapid rise of AI in finance, this year’s conference emphasized hot topics such as generative AI, machine learning in investment forecasting, and fund design. Green finance also remained a key theme, with discussions ranging from carbon risk pricing to ESG data manipulation—highlighting academia and industry’s growing commitment to sustainability. CKGSB professors were deeply involved in both thematic areas.
As a co-organizer, CKGSB played a central role in the planning and execution of this year’s event. With eight professors participating in various leadership roles—including Program Chair, session chairs, presenters, and discussants—the school showcased its global influence and cutting-edge achievements in both theoretical innovation and empirical research.
The next CICF will be held in Hong Kong, continuing to foster East-West knowledge exchange and drive global financial scholarship forward.
Looking ahead, CKGSB will continue building and contributing to platforms for academic exchange, advancing global financial research, policy development, and the promotion of China’s voice in global finance.
Since its founding, CKGSB has attracted world-renowned scholars to join full-time through its innovative research-driven and faculty- governed model. The school provides a globally competitive research environment, empowering faculty to produce world-class thought leadership and maintain international academic prominence on the ground in China.
