The 10th HKU Quarterly Forum on the Chinese Economy: China’s Economic Outlook Amid US-Israel-Iran Tensions - Press Invitations - Media

In the second quarter of 2026, the global landscape continues to evolve. The escalating US‑Israel‑Iran conflict is profoundly reshaping the international political and economic order, triggering growing volatility in international shipping, energy supply, and financial markets. The economies of the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong are facing unprecedented external challenges and internal transformation pressures.

Against this critical backdrop, the Institute of China Economy (ICE) at HKU Business School, in partnership with Zhejiang University (Hong Kong) Alumni Association, will host the 10th HKU Quarterly Forum on the Chinese Economy on Thursday, 23 April 2026, at HKU iCube, in Central. Leading experts and scholars will share insights on core topics, including geopolitical risks, impacts on international shipping, macroeconomic policy directions, and the transition of new economic drivers.

Media representatives are cordially invited to join the Forum:

Date:	23 April 2026 (Thursday)
Media Reception:	1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Forum Time:	2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Venue:	HKU iCube, 40/F, 4005-07, Two Exchange Square, Central, Hong Kong
Language:	Mandarin
Website:	https://ice.hkubs.hku.hk/events-archive/10th-hku-quarterly-forum-on-chinese-economy/

Agenda

1:30 p.m.

Media reception

2:00 p.m.

Opening

2:05 p.m.

(5 mins)

Welcoming Remarks

Professor Hongbin CAI
Dean and Chair of Economics, Director of Institute of China Economy (ICE), HKU Business School

2:10 p.m.

(50 mins)

Keynote Report

The Reshaping of the Global Political and Economic Landscape by the US-Israel-Iran War: Impacts on the Economies of Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong

Professor Zhenhua MAO

Professor of Practice in Economics, HKU Business School

Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Expert Group in HKSAR

3:00 p.m.

(25 mins)

Keynote Speech I

Enhance The Transformation Between Traditional and Emerging Growth Drivers, and Establish a Third Pillar of Macroeconomic Policy

Professor Xianhai HUANG

Dean, School of Global Development, Zhejiang University

Distinguished Professor, Changjiang Scholars Programme

3:25 p.m.

(25 mins)

Keynote Speech II

Professor Richard Weixing HU

Distinguished Professor, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau

3:50 p.m.

(25 mins)

Keynote Speech III

Impacts of the US-Israel-Iran War on Global Maritime Transport

Mr. Xianxiang YANG

Executive Director and Chairman of the Board, SITC International Holdings Company Ltd.

4:15 p.m.

(45 mins)

Roundtable Discussion

Moderator:

Professor Hongbin CAI

Dean and Chair of Economics, Director of the Institute of China Economy (ICE), HKU Business School

Panellists (alphabetical order by surname):

Dr. Jun CHEN, Chairman and CEO, Shenzhen Haiyuan Venture Investment Co., Ltd.
Dr. Yifan HU, Managing Director, Global Wealth Management, Regional Chief Investment Officer and Head Macroeconomics APAC, UBS
Dr. Haixia YUAN, Managing Director and Dean of Research Institute, China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd.; Specialist, Fiscal Risk Research Expert Division, Ministry of Finance
Mr. Zhengyu ZHANG, President, The Association for the Promotion of Global Chinese Traders Fraternity Limited; Chairman, LianLian DigiTech
Dr. Wenli ZHAO, Managing Director and Chief Economist, CCB International (Holdings) Limited
Ms. Xiaojia ZHI, Managing Director, Chief China Economist, Head of Research Asia ex. Japan, Crédit Agricole CIB

5:00 p.m.

(15 mins)

Concluding Remarks

Seats are limited. Please contact us to reserve a place for your reporter or video crew.

For media enquiries, please contact:

HKU Business School

Ariane LI

Assistant Director

Communications and Public Relations

Tel: +852 6010 4388 / 3917 0506

Email: ariane@hku.hk

Ruoyao Zhang