Addressing the summit’s theme, “Reshaping the Global Order, Accelerating Intelligent Finance,” he argued that the financial sector must serve as a foundation of stability and confidence in a period marked by fragmentation and disruption. Martinez said the challenge today is not decoupling, but rebalancing capital flows, risk, and the responsibilities that come with interdependence. He pointed to China’s large domestic savings of over RMB 150 trillion ($21 trillion) as an untapped source of long-term capital. However, less than 7% of these assets are invested in equities, while participation in pension schemes and mutual funds remain limited. “This is a lot of savings that is safe but underproductive,” he noted. He advocated for increased Chinese portfolio investment in Europe, especially in green and digital transformation, as a way to diversify China’s holdings and help correct structural trade imbalances. Martinez also emphasised that Europe is undergoing its own transition from bank-led lending to market-based financing through initiatives like the Savings and Investment Union. While China’s capital markets continue to evolve, he emphasised that transparency, liquidity, fair pricing, and legal certainty must be prioritised. “These are not technical upgrades,” he said. “They are preconditions for long-term, stable investment.” He also noted that increased European participation can support China’s shift toward institutional capital and benefit investors seeking diversification. Martinez also cited emerging EU–China dialogue channels on financial services as practical platforms for building trust. “They are not ceremonial,” he said, “but tools for resolving frictions and identifying mutual interests before they become points of contention.” In closing, Martinez reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to partnership: “We are not here to lecture or impose. We are here to listen, to partner, and to build.” He urged that today’s uncertainty be treated as a call to innovate rather than retreat, framing the future of finance as one that must be built across systems, through cooperation and mutual investment.
