Global banking leaders have lauded Hong Kong's role as a financial gateway connecting mainland China with the world, stating that it has facilitated two-way financial flows and minimized risks in an era of uncertainty. At the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit held in Hong Kong, State Street Chairman and CEO Ronald O’Hanley, Barclays Group CEO C.S. Venkatakrishnan, and BNP Paribas Chairman Jean Lemierre all emphasized Hong Kong's importance as an RMB hub and international financial center, believing it helps mainland enterprises access European markets and assists countries in managing strategic dependencies.