Lingnan University and Jinan University co-host the first joint conference on Sustainable Finance and Development in the Digital Era

The Lingnan University-Jinan University Joint Research Centre for Financial Inclusion and Digital Economy successfully hosted the first Lingnan University-Jinan University joint conference on “Sustainable Finance and Development in the Digital Era” on 5 December 2024. Supported by Lingnan University’s Hong Kong Institute of Business Studies and the Department of Finance, and Jinan University’s School of Management, the event attracted over 80 on-site attendees and garnered more than 14,000 online views, bringing together world-renowned scholars, industry experts, and thought leaders who engaged in discussions on financial innovation and sustainable development in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape. The hybrid format accommodated both on-site attendees and virtual participants, emphasising the conference's commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

The conference commenced with a welcome address by Prof LENG Mingming, Dean of the Faculty of Business at Lingnan University, who expressed gratitude to all participants and encouraged a vibrant exchange of ideas. This was followed by another welcome address by Prof LI Wenjing, Dean of the School of Management at Jinan University, underscoring the significance of focusing on sustainable finance and development in the digital era.

Keynote speakers included Prof YANG Liyan from the University of Toronto, who delivered the first keynote address titled "Fragility of Financial Markets", providing an insightful analysis of the vulnerabilities and systemic risks within the modern financial system. Prof William CONG Lin from the Cornell University discussed the role of big data in biodiversity conservation during his keynote session, “Big Data Tells: Unintended Consequences of Biodiversity Conservation”. Additionally, Prof LIN Chen from the University of Hong Kong delivered the final keynote address, “Climate Change, Demand Uncertainty, and Firms “Investments: Evidence from Planned Power Plants”, exploring the impact of climate change on corporate investment decisions, especially in the energy consuming sector.

The conference also featured a paper presentation session addressing key issues in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) topics, as well as the latest developments and challenges in Web3 and cryptocurrency. Presenters included Prof JO Chanik from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof LI Xiaohui from Jinan University, Prof ZHAO Xiaofeng from Lingnan University, Dr SI Fangbo from Jinan University, Prof YANG Shijie from the Southern University of Science and Technology, Prof YANG Nan from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Prof YANG Guochao from Zhongnan University of Law and Economics.

The conference concluded with a PhD Student Paper session, providing young researchers with the opportunity to present their work and gain valuable feedback from experts.

The conference marked the first flagship event held by the Lingnan University-Jinan University Joint Research Centre for Financial Inclusion and Digital Economy since its inception in 2024. It emphasised the role of digital transformation in fostering resilient and inclusive economic growth, with a particular focus on sustainability. Discussions primarily centred on the integration of ESG criteria into financial practices. Moving forward, the Joint Conference will continue to serve as a platform for the academic community to explore a wide range of topics related to financial innovation and sustainable development.