Forum President and CEO Rob Nichols was a featured speaker at the 2011 China Financial Summit at the China Beijing International High-Tech Expo (CHITEC) that was held in Beijing, China on May 18th – 19th.  Mr. Nichols delivered remarks during the Conference’s opening ceremony on May 18th and discussed the importance of the economic relationship between the United States and China and the bilateral benefits to modernization and reform of China's capital markets and financial sector. 

Speech Excerpts:

A more modern and effective financial sector – including greater foreign participation – should be the top reform priority in the context of our expanding economic relationship.  A more open Chinese financial sector – one more fully integrated with the global financial system – would serve the national interests and priorities of both China and the United States.

By helping to provide the financial products and services that China’s citizens and businesses need to save, invest, insure against risk, and consume at higher levels, foreign financial institutions can help China develop an economy that is less dependent on exports, and more services-based and consumption-driven. 

Activating China's 1.3 billion consumers is the surest pathway toward addressing the current trade imbalance with China.  Stimulating consumer and business demand within China will lead to increased US exports to China which translate into jobs for Americans.