Discussions hosted by global accountancy body focus on research showing 57% of CFOs cite South East Asia as their number one region offering greatest growth potential

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has brought together CFOs and other finance leaders at the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing to explore supply opportunities between China and other countries.

The discussions held at the China International Exhibition Centre during the Expo focused on the growing role of CFOs in China in managing global supply chains. This includes their role in facilitation cross-border investment by Chinese businesses wanting to expand their global supply chains in South East Asia and other parts of the world.

Discussions focused on a new report by ACCA in China, CFO leadership in globalisation. It found that over the next three years Chinese enterprises are expected to maintain a key focus on South East Asia – cited by 57% of respondents, followed by Africa (36%) and the Middle East (30%).

Yuki Qian, Public Affairs Director of ACCA China, commented: 'Chain-based investment requires financial capital to shift its role from that of a passive shareholder to an active industrial partner. This means going beyond reading financial statements, it demands deep engagement with the industry, including hands-on involvement in technology validation, supply chain integration, and other value-adding activities. At its core, chain-based investment is a product of the deep integration between capital and the real economy. ACCA champions this approach precisely because it responds to our member companies' growing needs for capability building in frontier areas such as M&A, industrial fund operations, and ESG investing, while also aligning with our mission to advance sustainable development and the public good.'

The event, organised by ACCA, attracted supply chain service provider UnionPay International, along with exhibitors including Siemens China, Philips (China) Investment, Seres, and JA Solar, to engage in meaningful exchanges with delegation representatives. Together, they explored how to leverage capital to integrate industrial chains and support Chinese enterprises in achieving high-quality global growth.

Zheng Qi, Partner at ZWC Partners and an ACCA member, observed from their investment practice: 'The deep convergence of financial and industrial capital is a defining trend today. Through joint investments with industrial partners and a clear division of labor in technical and financial due diligence, we are able to provide our portfolio companies with investment that comes tied to actual orders, a model that holds particular appeal for hard-tech enterprises.'

Wu Wennan, Chief Financial Officer of Junlebao Dairy Group and an ACCA member, offered a perspective from the vantage point of a chain-leading enterprise: 'Chain-based investment has enabled us to unlock critical links across the entire value chain,from upstream milk sources to downstream distribution channels,building robust barriers that safeguard supply chain security and long-term competitiveness. Along this journey, the finance function has increasingly shifted its focus toward industrial chain analysis and strategic planning.'

Pulkit Abrol, director of ACCA in Asia Pacific, said: ‘With the surge in trade and investment between South East Asia and China, our influential members across these economies are highlighting the increasingly important role for CFOs and other professional accountants. Their role is being redefined to increase focus on responsible business and investment, taking sustainability and social impacts into account alongside financial considerations. This rounded, ethical approach is vital to long-term future success.’

Read our CFO leadership in globalisation report.