According to a report released by the British Z/Yen Consulting Company, Hong Kong ranked third in the Global Financial Center Index (GFCI) in 2014, continuing to beat Singapore, Tokyo, and Seoul to retain the first place in Asia. Mainland first-tier cities Shenzhen and Shanghai also ranked in the top 20. Hong Kong scored 761 points, slightly higher than last September by 2 points. In 2013, Hong Kong surpassed Tokyo for the first time and became the top three international financial centers in the world in terms of comprehensive competitiveness. Shenzhen has made significant progress this year, entering the top 20 for the first time, rising 37 points from September, and jumping from 27th to 18th, surpassing Shanghai, which ranks 20th, by 2 points. Shanghai, which has attracted much attention due to the concept of free trade zones, dropped from 16th in September to 24th, a sharp decline from fifth in March 2011. According to British media reports, London was surpassed by New York in the Global Financial Center Index as the drop in its score was the largest among the top 50 financial center cities on the list. The British consulting company Z/Yen conducts surveys twice a year. In the survey results released this time, the top four cities still include New York, London, Hong Kong and Singapore. Since the rankings were established in 2007, London has held a narrow lead over New York, with the two Asian financial centers gradually narrowing the gap. The report pointed out that London's score fell the most among the top 50 financial centers (a drop of 10 points), which may be affected by a number of factors, including uncertainty in Europe, London's reduced attractiveness to foreigners, and outside perceptions. London markets are rigged. The report also pointed out that although New York defeated London, based on a total score of 1,000, the difference between the two was only 2 points, which is actually not a big difference. He believes that as Asian financial centers such as Hong Kong and Singapore continue to develop, the leadership positions of New York and London can easily be shaken. London, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore have long been in the top four of the list, but the gap between them and "catch-up groups" such as Zurich, Tokyo and Seoul is constantly narrowing. It is reported that this is the 15th survey conducted by the British Z/Yen consulting company since its launch in 2007. 3,246 respondents were interviewed. In addition to taking into account respondents' assessment of the changing competitiveness of each financial center, the survey results also combine rankings with objective factors such as infrastructure, talent pool size and access to international markets. Ranking city score 01 New York 786 points 02 London 784 points 03 Hong Kong 761 points 04 Singapore 751 points 05 Zurich 730 points 06 Tokyo 722 points 07 Seoul 718 points 08 Boston 715 points 09 Shanghai 713 points 10 San Francisco 711 points

< p> "Xinhua·Dow Jones International Financial Center Development Index Report (2014)" was released in Shanghai on November 6. The new ranking of the top ten international financial centers with the strongest comprehensive competitiveness in the world was released: New York and London, the established international financial centers, are firmly occupied Among the top two seats, Shanghai has moved up one place from 2013 and is tied with Hong Kong for fifth place, while Beijing has accelerated its growth and development and entered the top 10 for the first time in five years, ranking ninth.

■ First New York

■ Second London

■ Third Tokyo

■ Fourth Singapore

■ Fifth Hong Kong and Shanghai

■ Seventh Paris

■ Eighth Frankfurt

■ Ninth San Francisco

■ No. Ten Chicago

The changes in the ranking of international financial centers show obvious patterns. The ranking of European financial centers is still in a slight decline, while the rankings of Asia-Pacific and North American financial centers have improved. As for the BRICS countries, except for Moscow, the financial centers of other countries are on a stable or upward path. The report believes that a comprehensive comparison of the rankings in the past four years shows that the top 10 cities have undergone some slight adjustments, but they are still the most stable among all 45 sample cities, with some changes in rankings in individual years. In 2014, the number of cities with relatively stable rankings among international financial center cities increased significantly. There were 35 financial centers with stable and relatively stable rankings, accounting for 77.78% of the total number of sample cities, which was 17.78 percentage points higher than in 2013. Abnormal fluctuations and volatile financial centers have decreased.

New York, USA

New York (New York) is the core of the New York metropolitan area and the largest city in the United States. New York is a world-class city that directly affects the global economy, finance, media, politics, education, entertainment and fashion. New York exerts tremendous global influence in business and finance. New York's financial district, headed by Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, is known as the financial center of the world. The New York Stock Exchange is the second largest stock exchange in the world. It was the largest exchange until 1996 when its trading volume was surpassed by Nasdaq. Times Square in New York is located at the hub of the Broadway Theater District. It is known as the "Crossroads of the World" and is also one of the centers of the world's entertainment industry. New York is the economic center of the world and one of the three largest financial centers in the world (the other two are London and Tokyo). According to statistics from Financial Daily Cinco Dias, as of the end of 2008, New York controlled 40% of the world's fiscal funds and was the world's largest financial center. The New York Stock Exchange has the world's largest total market capitalization of listed companies, with a global market capitalization of US$15 trillion. There are more than 2,800 companies listed here.

According to a U.S. federal government report, as of the end of 2013, the total value of all property in New York City was $879 trillion. Among the world's top 500 companies, 73 are located in New York. Midtown Manhattan is the largest concentration of CBD and skyscrapers in the world, and Lower Manhattan is the third largest CBD in the United States (after Chicago). Due to factors such as the sharp unilateral depreciation of the yen against the US dollar by 20% in 2013, New York's GDP surpassed Tokyo's in 2013 and now ranks first in the world. The per capita GDP is US$138,800, ranking first among cities in the world. In 2010, the GDP of the greater New York metropolitan area was US$2,754.4 billion. Ranked first in the world in the 2013 Xinhua-Dow Jones International Financial Center Development Index.

London, United Kingdom

London (London) is the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (referred to as the United Kingdom) and the largest city in Europe. It is the largest financial center in the world, tied with New York in the United States. London is one of the most important economic centers in the world and the largest in Europe. London is the world's largest international financial center, as famous as New York. The financial industry is London's most important economic pillar, employing approximately 325,000 people (2007). The City of London, or "Square Mile", is London's largest financial center and is home to many banks, insurance companies and financial institutions. More than half of the UK's top 100 companies and more than 100 of Europe's top 500 companies have their headquarters in London. London has the world's largest OTC financial derivatives market, accounting for 49% of the global trading share and an average daily trading volume of US$2.72 trillion. Approximately 41% of the world's currency business is traded in London. The London Stock Exchange is one of the most important securities trading centers in the world. London is currently the world's largest international foreign exchange market. Its annual foreign exchange turnover can reach three trillion pounds. About 41% of the world's currency business is traded in London. London is also the world's largest Eurodollar market. The oil revenue turnover of oil-exporting countries can sometimes reach more than 50 billion US dollars a day, accounting for more than 1/3 of the world's Eurodollar turnover. London is the world's largest international insurance center, with more than 800 insurance companies, of which more than 170 are branches of foreign insurance companies. In the London insurance industry, Lloyds Insurance Company has a long history, strong funds and the highest credibility

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo (Tokyo) is located in the eastern part of Honshu Island, Japan. The capital and largest city, the largest city in Asia, and one of the largest cities in the world, is the most important world-class city in Asia. Tokyo has a highly developed economy and is known as the world's four major international metropolises along with New York in the United States, London in the United Kingdom, and Paris in France. Tokyo is also one of the world's top five financial centers. Tokyo also has the world's most complex, densest and highest-traffic railway transportation system and commuter station group. Tokyo's subway system has an average daily passenger volume of 10.8 million, ranking first in the world's busiest subways. Tokyo is also the economic center of Japan. Japan's major companies are concentrated here. Most of them are located in Chiyoda Ward, Chuo Ward and Minato Ward. Tokyo, Yokohama to the south and Chiba area to the east together form the famous Keihin Industrial Zone in Japan. The main industries include steel, shipbuilding, machine manufacturing, chemicals, electronics, leather, motors, fibers, petroleum, publishing and printing, and precision instruments. Tokyo's financial industry and commerce are developed, and domestic and foreign business activities are frequent. Ginza, known as the "Heart of Tokyo", is the most prosperous business district in the area.

Singapore

Singapore, the full name of the Republic of Singapore, formerly known as Singapore, Xingzhou or Xingdao, also known as the Lion City, is an island country in Southeast Asia , the political system implements a parliamentary system and a political system. It is located at the southern end of the Malay Peninsula, adjacent to the south entrance of the Strait of Malacca, facing Indonesia across the Strait of Singapore to the south, and adjacent to Malaysia to the north with the Strait of Johor, and is connected to the two sides by bridges such as the Singapore-Johor Causeway and the Second Channel. In addition to the main island, Singapore's territory also includes several surrounding islands. Singapore is one of the important financial, service and shipping centers in Asia and the fourth largest international financial center after New York, London and Tokyo [2]. Industry is the leading force in Singapore's economic development, with the Jurong Industrial Zone, one of the earliest development zones in Asia. Singapore has achieved remarkable results in greening and cleaning, so it is known as the "Garden City"

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong (Hong Kong), the full name of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong The special administrative region is an international metropolis. Before 1840, Hong Kong was still a small fishing village. From 1842 to 1997, Hong Kong became a British colony. After World War II, Hong Kong's economy and society developed rapidly, becoming not only one of the Four Asian Tigers, but also one of the richest, most economically developed and highest-living areas in the world. Hong Kong is an important financial, service and shipping center in Asia. It is famous for its clean government, good public security, free economic system and perfect legal system. On July 1, 1997, the People's Republic of China officially resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a capitalist economic system that adheres to a free market. The focus of its economy lies in the laissez-faire policy implemented by the government.

The Free Economic System Report published by the Heritage Foundation in the United States since 1995 and the Fraser Institute in Canada since 1996 has consistently ranked Hong Kong first in the world. Hong Kong's foreign exchange market is well developed and actively traded, occupying an indispensable position in the global foreign exchange market. Since Hong Kong is connected to other overseas foreign exchange markets, Hong Kong can conduct foreign exchange transactions with all parts of the world 24 hours a day. According to the triennial global survey conducted by the Bank for International Settlements in 2004, the turnover of Hong Kong's foreign exchange market ranks sixth in the world.

Shanghai, China

Shanghai (Shanghai), referred to as "Shanghai". One of the municipalities directly under the Central Government of the People's Republic of China, China's economic and financial center, it has the first free trade zone in mainland China, the "China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone". Its economic strength, population size, and total GDP rank first among Chinese cities. As of 2014, Shanghai's permanent population has exceeded 25 million, making it one of the largest cities in the world. Shanghai Port ranks first in the world in cargo throughput and container throughput, and is a good international port along the river and sea. Shanghai is committed to building an international financial, shipping and trade center by 2020. Shanghai is located at the estuary of the Yangtze River, facing the East China Sea to the east, facing Japan's Kyushu Island across the sea, facing Hangzhou Bay to the south, and connected to Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces to the west, forming the "Yangtze River Delta Economic Circle". China Foreign Exchange Trading Center. Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone is one of the major financial centers in Shanghai, China. Foreign financial institutions operating RMB business must open offices in the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone, including HSBC, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of East Asia, etc.

Paris, France

Paris (Paris) is the capital of the French Republic, the largest city in France, and the political, economic, cultural, and commercial center of France. Paris is the economic and financial center of France and has an important influence on the world in the fields of politics, science and technology, culture, education, fashion, art, entertainment, media and other fields. Paris is also recognized as one of the four largest cities in the world, along with New York, London and Tokyo. Paris' textile, electrical appliances, automobiles, aircraft and other industries are all very developed, and its fashion and cosmetics industries are even more world-famous. Paris is home to many world-class banks, companies, and exchanges. Based in Paris, they actively carry out international business and form an international business network. Paris is also an important place for international activities

Various types of international conferences are held here. Today's Paris is not only a political, economic and cultural center of Western Europe, but also a tourist attraction, attracting countless guests and tourists from all continents every day.

Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt (Frankfurt), the official full name is: Frankfurt am Main (German: Frankfurt am Main), to distinguish it from Frankfurt am Main (German: Frankfurt am Main) located in eastern Germany. :Frankfurt an der Oder). It is the fifth largest city in Germany and an important industrial, commercial, financial and transportation center in Germany and even Europe. It is located in the state of Hesse in western Germany, downstream of the Main River, a tributary of the central Rhine River. Frankfurt is an important industrial, commercial, financial services and transportation center in Germany and even Europe. The city has more than 324 banks, operates 85% of Germany's stock transactions, and Europe's largest international auto show. Frankfurt is not only a financial center in the world, but also a famous fair city with an 800-year-old tradition. About 15 large-scale international expositions are held every year, such as the International Consumer Goods Expo held every spring and summer; the biennial International "Health, Heating, and Air Conditioning" Professional Expo; the International Clothing and Textile Professional Expo; automobile exhibitions; and book exhibitions. ;Culinary Technology Exhibition. During the exhibition season, Frankfurt presents a busy scene, and the urban streets become even more lively. The average number of people participating in the exposition exceeds 1 million every year. The exposition has become an important window for people to understand the world and the world to understand Germany

Beijing, China

Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China. The capital, one of the four municipalities directly under the central government, is the national political, cultural and international exchange center, and the national economic and financial decision-making and management center. Beijing is also the general hub of China's land and air transportation and the most important domestic and international exchange center.

Only a handful of cities in the world have served as the political and cultural center of a country for as long as Beijing. "Encyclopedia Britannica" describes Beijing as one of the world's great cities and asserts, "This city is the most important part of China's history. In the past eight centuries of China, regardless of its long history, almost all of Beijing's The main buildings have indelible national and historical significance." Countless monuments such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and Beihai also add more splendid color to the city.

Today’s Beijing has developed into a modern international metropolis: the number of Fortune 500 headquarters ranks first in the world; business districts such as Financial Street and Beijing Central Business District are even more important for Beijing’s opening up to the outside world and its economic strength. symbol of. In addition, buildings such as the China National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3, CCTV Headquarters Building, and the "Bird's Nest" have also become modern symbols of Beijing. Beijing is welcoming more than 147 million tourists every year with its ancient and fashionable new look.

In addition, Beijing has successfully hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Chicago, USA

Chicago (Chicago) is located in the midwestern United States, belonging to the state of Illinois, and facing Lake Michigan to the east. It is an international metropolis in the United States after New York City and Los Angeles. The third largest city in the United States. Chicago is located in the center of the North American continent and is an important railway and aviation hub in the United States. Chicago is also one of the important financial, cultural, manufacturing, futures and commodity trading centers in the United States. Gradually becoming one of the cities with major influence in the world, Chicago is the metropolitan area with the third highest GDP in the United States (after New York and Los Angeles), with a GDP of 532 billion US dollars in 2010. At the same time, the metropolitan area was also rated as the most balanced economy in the United States. It is ranked the fourth most important commercial center in the world by the MasterCard Worldwide Centers of Commerce Index. In addition, the number of new businesses in the Chicago metropolitan area ranked first in the United States for six of the seven years from 2001 to 2008. And the city’s technological innovation ranks third in the United States. In 2009, the city was ranked the ninth richest city in the world by UBS.

(2) Depending on whether financial transactions occur or not, international financial centers can be divided into functional and accounting types. If financial institutions provide services to customers or engage in substantive financial transactions in the local financial market, and create employment and income opportunities, then the region is a functional international financial center, such as Tokyo, Singapore, etc.; if no substantive business activities occur , which only provides a legal registration place for financial transactions occurring in other regions, is called an accounting-based international financial center.

(3) According to differences in geographical space, international financial centers can be divided into two categories: global and regional. The former is like New York, London, and Hong Kong; the latter is like Tokyo, Frankfurt, and Paris. (1) As a hub of the international financial market, international financial centers have made great contributions to the development of the world economy.

(2) The development of the international financial center also brings significant benefits to the local economy. International financial centers exhibit a relationship of competition and cooperation.

Because international financial centers can bring huge benefits to the economic development of the countries and regions where they are located, competition among international financial centers has always existed. Historically, London and New York had a dispute between the "Keynesian Plan" and the "White Plan" in order to compete for the position of dominating the world's financial centers. In the end, the United States relied on its strong economic strength and the "White Plan" finally won, and the U.S. dollar became the mainstay of the post-war global financial system. The leading currency, New York has also replaced London as the leader of international financial centers.

Of course, the relationship between international financial centers is not entirely competitive. Different interest orientations will also induce the need for mutual cooperation. Since each financial center has limited endowment capabilities, it may have different emphasis on business content and different radiation areas. Complementary advantages based on business division of labor and regional division of labor can generate external economies and improve their respective competitiveness in the process of cooperation. For example, within Europe, despite the increasingly fierce competition among financial centers within the EU, countries have not ignored the importance of cooperation. Instead, they have strengthened mutual cooperation by coordinating financial and taxation systems, establishing a pan-European financial market, and conducting financial business exchanges. The multi-level close cooperation between them has formed a basic pattern of mutual division of labor, mutual cooperation and orderly competition based on their respective development. The status of an international financial center is based on the comprehensive advantages of multiple resource conditions and is formed and consolidated driven by a series of supply and demand factors.

Based on historical experience and relevant research results, these conditions can be summarized as follows:

(1) A strong and prosperous economic foundation.

(2) A stable and peaceful political environment.

(3) Efficient and sound financial system.

(4) Concentrated financial institutions.

(5) Policy orientation that encourages support.

(6) Low and reasonable tax costs.

(7) Complete infrastructure. 1. The development path of natural evolution: economic and trade development - demand for financial services - spontaneous formation of a domestic financial center - natural evolution into an international financial center, with New York and London as typical representatives.

2. The development path promoted by the government: The government promotes the construction of financial centers - guides policy measures - gathers financial institutions - and rapidly grows into an international financial center. Typical representatives are Tokyo and Singapore. Hong Kong, the full name of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is an international metropolis and an important financial center in Asia.

Hong Kong is located in southern China, east of the Pearl River Estuary, and adjacent to the South China Sea. It consists of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories (including Lantau Island and more than 230 large and small islands). It is connected to Shenzhen, Guangdong Province across the Shenzhen River to the north; it faces Macau across the sea to the west, with a distance of only about 60 kilometers.

Before 1840, Hong Kong was still a small fishing village. From 1842 to 1997, Hong Kong became a British colony. After the Second World War, Hong Kong's economy and society developed rapidly, becoming not only one of the Four Asian Tigers, but also one of the richest, most economically developed and highest-living areas in the world.

Hong Kong is an important financial, service and shipping center in Asia. It is famous for its clean government, good public security, free economic system and perfect legal system. On July 1, 1997, the People's Republic of China officially resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong.

Hong Kong maintains a capitalist system and enjoys a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign affairs and national defense. Hong Kong is a place where Chinese and Western cultures blend. It is also an important shipping hub and one of the most competitive cities in the international and Asia-Pacific regions. Its economic freedom index ranks first in the world. It has the reputation of "Pearl of the Orient", "Food Paradise" and "Shopping Paradise". Singapore is one of Asia's important financial, service and shipping centers and the fourth largest international financial center after New York, London and Hong Kong. Industry is the leading force in Singapore's economic development, with the Jurong Industrial Zone, one of the earliest development zones in Asia. Singapore has achieved remarkable results in greening and cleaning, so it is known as the "Garden City". [1]

Singapore is one of the 10 member economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and a member economy of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).