An event themed "CITIC Financial Services for the Non-Ferrous Industrial Chain, Jointly Building Hong Kong's Commodities Trading Ecosystem" was held in Hong Kong on May 6, bringing together nearly 100 Chinese enterprises from across the non-ferrous metals industry chain.

The event was guided by the London Metal Exchange (LME) and CITIC Financial Holdings, and co-hosted by CITIC Futures International, CITIC Metal Group, CITIC Securities International, China CITIC Bank International and other CITIC-affiliated institutions in Hong Kong. 

Participants discussed how to provide one-stop and efficient integrated financial solutions for the global commodities market and cross-border risk management for industrial enterprises.

During the event, CITIC Securities International announced that it had obtained Category 2 Clearing Membership of the LME — currently the first and only Chinese securities firm to independently apply for and receive the qualification directly in the United Kingdom.

Zhang Youjun, assistant to the president of CITIC Group, chairman of CITIC Securities and vice chairman of CITIC Financial Holdings, stated that CITIC had always regarded Hong Kong as a key hub for its international operations. He said CITIC would integrate its banking, securities, trust, insurance, futures, leasing and other businesses to build a comprehensive service system for non-ferrous metals enterprises expanding overseas.

Leveraging its global resource network and industrial expertise, CITIC would deepen industry-finance collaboration — achieving a virtuous cycle where "finance empowers industry and industry reinforces finance," Zhang added. Through high-quality integrated financial services, CITIC aims to help Chinese non-ferrous metals companies build more resilient global industrial and supply chains, while contributing to Hong Kong's role as an international financial center and supporting China's high-level opening-up.

Meanwhile, Joseph Chan, under secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, said building a commodities trading ecosystem was a key initiative for Hong Kong to serve China's national strategies. Chan added that it was not only a critical path to consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial center, but was also a strategic pivot for the city to support China's highquality development and safeguard resource security during the 15th FiveYear Plan period (2026-2030).

Harriet Hunnable, independent nonexecutive director of the LME, pointed out that her organization highly values the Chinese market and will further strengthen cooperation with CITIC. She said the LME will continue leveraging its global pricing and risk management platform to support the stable development of the non-ferrous metals industry chain and Hong Kong's market ecosystem. Hunnable also noted that the LME would actively follow the internationalization of the RMB — helping Hong Kong to play a greater role in metal deliveries, warehousing, financial services and the development of the market ecosystem to better serve the needs of enterprises in China and the wider Asian market.

Zhu Liqun, general manager of the Wealth Management Department at CITIC Financial Holdings, explained how the company leverages its full‑license, full‑scenario, and global advantages to serve the non‑ferrous metals industry chain — from resource extraction, smelting, and processing to trading and application. Through product innovation and service upgrades, the company offers an integrated service model that drives deeper integration of crossborder financial products and services with the non-ferrous metals industry. This shifts itself from being a "capital provider" to a "value cocreator" — helping companies in China's non-ferrous metals industry chain enhance their international competitiveness and risk resilience, while jointly building a new industryfinance ecosystem.

Representatives of China Minmetals Corporation, Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chinalco) and Jiangxi Copper Corporation Limited participated in roundtable discussions. There, they shared cuttingedge perspectives and practical experience, offering deep insights for market participants to navigate trends and optimize asset allocations.