One of the “brightest financial minds” at Beijing’s sovereign wealth fund is set to join the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, according to sources.

Qi Bin, 57, vice-president and deputy chief investment officer with China Investment Corporation (CIC), is expected to arrive in Hong Kong this week.

He is likely to become a deputy director at the Hong Kong liaison office, multiple sources told the Post, raising the senior state banker to vice-ministerial rank. The office currently has four deputy directors.

According to one of them, Qi is expected to take charge of economic affairs at the office, playing a vital role in coordinating economic and financial policies between the mainland and the Hong Kong special administrative region (SAR).

“Beijing is sending one of its brightest financial minds, with extensive financial regulatory experience and comprehensive understanding of the global financial market, to Hong Kong. That shows its strong commitment to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an international financial centre,” another source said.

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