Eric Johnson

As foreign firms expand with majority stakes, formerly dominant Chinese domestic banks look for ways to maintain their edge. 

With growth slowing, Beijing pushes technology, innovation and urban experimentation as the keys to China’s future economic ascendancy.

China’s rapid embrace of financial transactions via smartphone has opened new opportunities in the investment sector. Li Yimei, CEO of Beijing-based ChinaAMC, describes how her firm is using technology to serve clients and stay on top of the asset management business.

Xingfei Chen, deputy general manager of the Transactions Banking Department of China Guangfa Bank (CGB), this year’s Most Innovative Bank, talks about how the bank makes innovation central to its operating philosophy and some of the “firsts” that make it a Star of China.

China’s banks embrace technology while staying focused on the real economy.

China has a new stock market.

Global Finance’s Stars of China awards highlight leading banks’ digital progress and economic impact.

Last year, ICBC consolidated several asset management operations to create ICBC Asset Management (Global). Bing Li, who leads product development for the new entity, and Harrison Li, who leads global asset management for ICBC, talk about the new entity and its role in supporting the wider ambitions of the bank—and of China itself.

China’s support for trade infrastructure across Asia is definitely winning some friends, but potential for backlash lurks behind opaque management.