On 10 and 11 January, the Greater China Committee held launch events in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing with a combined attendance of almost 300, including IFoA members, stakeholders and academia.
The GCC’s key objectives are to promote, support and champion the interests of IFoA members as well as provide a forum to discuss new ideas and initiatives. These aims were prominent at all three launch events. Members engaged in rich discussions over the GCC’s plans for bigger engagement, growth and impact for the IFoA in Greater China.
As part of the events IFoA President Kartina Tahir Thomson gave a message of support from IFoA leadership to the GCC. She emphasised the role that GCC will play in supporting professional development, enhancing influence, empowering members and promoting knowledge transfer and engagement in the region.
On the evening of 10 January, Hong Kong and Shanghai committee members held the launch events simultaneously, chaired by GCC Co-Chair Chris Hancorn and Secretary-General Feifei Zhang. There were close to 100 guests in person, and with both venues also connected online.
In his opening remarks Chris Hancorn said: “We’re starting 2025 with something really big in Greater China that will lead to better engagement, growth and bigger impact for our members as we promote, support and champion the interests of IFoA members in Greater China. We’ll strengthen the connections between members, promote closer collaboration with a wider group of stakeholders and work with academia both to promote the IFoA to actuaries of the future and to develop more impactful thought leadership”.
The GCC’s members then outlined their plans in CPD/thought leadership, professionalism, education, social networking and communication.
Hong Kong | Co-chair of the GCC Chris Hancorn
Hong Kong | GCC member Wen Li
Hong Kong | GCC member Yi Yang
Shanghai | Event guests
Shanghai | IFoA Council member Cynthia Yuan
Shanghai | GCC Secretary-General Feifei Zhang
On 11 January the GCC held its Beijing launch event, hosted by the Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE), followed by an actuarial seminar.
Both GCC co-chairs Professor Li Xiaolin and Chris Hancorn were present and gave opening addresses. Professor Li reflected on the long history of successful collaboration between CUFE and the IFoA since 1992. He also remarked on the importance of actuaries in the insurance industry: “Actuaries are the core professionals in the insurance industry, so it is important for them to have continuous professional development. They should actively respond to the challenges faced by the industry to safeguard the quality development of the insurance industry.”
Chris Hancorn spoke about the importance of actuaries in contributing to the world’s greatest challenges including providing health and care to those in need and providing a secure future for ageing populations. He encouraged the next generation of actuaries to actively participate in the industry, continuously improve their professional skills and prepare for the challenges of the future.
Secretary-General Steven Yu outlined the roles and responsibilities of the GCC and the key elements of its work programme.
Other invited speakers at the launch event were Ms Zhang Xiaolei, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Association of Actuaries, and Mr Peng Jihai, Co-CEO and Vice President of Sunshine Insurance Group. Sunshine Insurance Group has sponsored the IFoA students at CUFE since 2017. So far, 347 students who studied the IFoA accredit exams at CUFE have benefited from the scholarship from Sunshine Insurance Group.
Immediately after the launch event an actuarial seminar was held, featuring technical presentations from the co-chairs as well as several senior IFoA Fellows from across the insurance industry in China.
Beijing | IFoA President Kartina Tahir Thomson
Beijing | Co-chair of the GCC Professor Li Xiaolin
Beijing| Post-event seminar
Beijing | Co-chair of the GCC Chris Hancorn
Beijing | Ms. Zhang Xiaolei
Beijing | Professor Zhou Hua, Dean of the School of Insurance