Kevin Rudd, former prime minister of Australia makes a keynote speech at the 2nd Qiantang River Forum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Nov 3. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Hangzhou enjoys a competitive edge in the development of financial technology, said Kevin Rudd, former prime minister of Australia at the 2nd Qiantang River Forum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Nov 3.

The former Australian prime minister, a China expert who is fluent in Mandarin, commended on the positive role of the financial technology to economic development, stating that Hangzhou's international profile is on the rise due to a raft of international companies including the world's largest mobile and online payments platform Alipay and China's e-commerce giant Alibaba Group.

He also held optimistic view towards the outlook of Hangzhou Greater Bay Area, an economic and industrial belt centered on Hangzhou Bay, suggesting that Hangzhou will play a key role in China's financial technological development.

Themed "way to high-quality development", the three-day forum attracted over 1,200 representatives and leading figures in business community from 15 countries and regions across the world to exchange ideas and enhance cooperation in financial services.

Over 1,200 representatives and leading figures in business community from 15 countries and regions across the world attend the 2nd Qiantang River Forum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Nov 3. [Photo/chinanews.com]