[1] The organisers goal was to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the global financial community and also for the Hong Kong government to show the re-opening of the city.
"[3][4] The editorial specifically named James Gorman of Morgan Stanley, David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, Johnathan Gray of Blackstone, Jane Fraser of Citigroup, and Jennifer Johnson of Franklin Resources.
[12] Yue gave a conflicting statement in September 2022 and said that "Nobody asked about quarantine restrictions [then], or any arrangements needed to come to Hong Kong" when the HKMA invited guests in March 2022.
[15] A CEO of a private jet company said interest from banking professionals had increased due to the Summit, with prices ranging from US$230,000 to US$350,000 to fly from Hong Kong to London and New York.
"[20] On 31 October 2022, the deputy CEO of the HKMA, Darryl Chan, said that the Summit would show the world that Hong Kong is reconnecting and reopening.
[33] Hong Kong Free Press contacted Chan's office, and asked whether he had flown on a private jet or commercial flight.
[46] On 5 November 2022, the editorial board of SCMP said that the government should have been more transparent with Chan's case, and said "It is therefore essential that relevant policies and restrictions apply equally.
"[50] The same day, The New York Times released an articled, titled "In Bid to Show It Is Open, Hong Kong Bends Covid Rules ... for Some.
"[51] Chinese University economist Simon Lee Siu-po said "The government can't say Hong Kong is back while keeping the border closed for another half a year.
"[53] In a November 2022 interview, Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered, who was a speaker at the Summit, said of the current restrictions "I think you should scrap the whole thing.
[55][56][57] Lee was sanctioned due to him "being involved in coercing, arresting, detaining, or imprisoning individuals under the authority of the National Security Law.
"[2][58] Representative Chris Smith said that companies "that trumpet their so-called 'Environmental, Social and Governance Principles' at home are quick to discard these 'values' for a chance to make a profit from China.
"[2] Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer said of Lee that "American executives attending an event with the CCP's so-called enforcer makes a person question whether human rights are a real concern.
[55][56][57] Additionally, the letter remarked that Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser is scheduled to speak at the event, but had earlier said that her bank would "follow [US] government guidance" on China.
[55][56][57] CEO Jamie Dimon also earlier said that JPMorgan Chase, which is sending COO Daniel Pinto to the event, will "absolutely salute and follow whatever the American government said, which is you all, what you want us to do.
"[58] The article pointed out the forced closure by the Hong Kong government of pro-democracy newspapers such as Apple Daily and Stand News, and the arrest of Jimmy Lai.
"[61] The HKMA responded to Bloomberg, stating "We are pleased to see a strong line-up of speakers at group chairman or CEO level to share their global perspectives.
[64] On 27 October 2022, two more US lawmakers urged the US financial executives to cancel their attendance to the Summit, with Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Jim McGovern of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China saying "Their presence only serves to legitimize the swift dismantling of Hong Kong's autonomy, free press, and the rule of law by Hong Kong authorities acting along with the Chinese Communist Party.
"[66][67] On 29 October 2022, Nikkei Asia reported that Hanscom Smith, who earlier made comments about the Summit with Politico, said "Hong Kong's attractiveness as a destination for investment and as a place to do business has suffered because of the uncertainty that comes with a national security law.
"[68] On 3 November 2022, The Wall Street Journal released a second article from its editorial board, titled "Wall Street's Hong Kong Kowtow," where it said "The Americans were used as props in the effort by Hong Kong officials to revive the city's reputation as a commercial center amid their continuing purge of all dissent, and the destruction of a free press and independent judiciary.
[70] Some of the US-based or US-citizen panel speakers include: James Gorman (Morgan Stanley), Jonathan Gray (Blackstone), David Solomon (Goldman Sachs), Joseph Bae (KKR), Jane Fraser (Citigroup), Rob Kapito (BlackRock), Daniel Pinto (JPMorgan Chase), Bill Winters (Standard Chartered), William Conway Jr. (Carlyle Group), Jim Zetler (Apollo Global Management), Hanneke Smits (BNY Mellon Investment Management), and Cyrus Taraporevala (State Street Global Advisors).
[72] Some financial executives also told Nikkei Asia that they decided to not attend the event, while others said they saw little chance of improving the appeal of a city that still imposed travel restrictions.
"[76] On 30 October 2022, Bloomberg reported that Blackstone president Jonathan Gray would no longer attend due to being COVID positive, and would instead send CFO Michael Chae to the Summit.
[77] CEO Valérie Baudson (Amundi), who was scheduled to speak on sustainable finance, cancelled her trip due to family reasons.
[77][72] Fang Xinghai, vice chairperson of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, made remarks by prerecorded video to the Summit.
"[80] UBS chair Colm Kelleher said, regarding global bankers, that "we're all very pro-China," and in reference to Fang's comments, said "We're not reading the American press, we actually buy the [China] story.
[82] The mainland Chinese panel speakers who joined the Summit by video instead of by person highlighted the tight travel restrictions imposed by China's zero-Covid approach.