Lingnan University and Jinan University host their 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 hosted the first 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 hybrid event, which attracted over 80 on-site attendees and more than 14,000 online viewers, emphasising the conference's commitment to both inclusivity and accessibility, brought together leading scholars, industry experts, and thought leaders for discussions on financial innovation and sustainable development in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The conference began with welcome addresses by Prof Leng Mingming, Dean of the Faculty of Business at Lingnan University, and Prof Li Wenjing, Dean of the School of Management at Jinan University. Keynote speakers included Prof Yang Liyan from the University of Toronto, who delivered the first 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 Cornell University discussed the role of big data in biodiversity conservation in “Big Data Tells: Unintended Consequences of Biodiversity Conservation”, and Prof Lin Chen from the University of Hong Kong delivered the final address, “Climate Change, Demand Uncertainty, and Firms’ Investments: Evidence from Planned Power Plants”, discussing the influence of climate change on corporate investment decisions, especially in the energy sector.
Prof Wei Lai, Head and Professor of the Department of Finance at Lingnan University, talks to young researchers during the PhD Student Paper session.
The paper presentation session addressed key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) topics, as well as the latest developments and challenges in Web3 and cryptocurrency. Presenters included Prof Li Xiaohui and Prof Si Fangbo from Jinan University, Prof Zhao Xiaofeng from Lingnan University, and other scholars. The conference concluded with a PhD Student Paper session.
The conference was the first flagship event to be held by the Lingnan University-Jinan University Joint Research Centre for Financial Inclusion and Digital Economy since it was formed in 2023, and it stressed the role of digital transformation in fostering resilient and inclusive economic growth, with a particular focus on sustainability.