Over the past decade, Tianjin’s financial sector has experienced remarkable growth, with its added value increasing from ¥139 billion in 2014 to ¥256.5 billion in 2024—a staggering 84.5% increase. This sector now accounts for 15.6% of the city’s GDP in Q1 2025, solidifying its role as a key pillar of Tianjin’s economy.
Key Milestones
Tianjin’s financial sector has achieved several significant milestones. The market scale has expanded, with deposits and loans surpassing ¥3 trillion and ¥4 trillion, respectively. The city is also one of China’s few “full-license” financial zones, reflecting its robust regulatory status. In terms of sector composition, leasing dominates with a volume of ¥2.3 trillion, representing a 25% national market share. Additionally, commercial factoring assets exceed ¥300 billion, making Tianjin the national leader in this area for over five years.
Innovation Engine
Tianjin has been at the forefront of financial innovation, pioneering 183 FTZ (Free Trade Zone) financial innovations. These include first-in-China models such as foreign currency operating lease collections and the “co-managed account + priority compensation” factoring model. The city has also launched landmark projects, including a ¥30 billion financial asset investment company partnership and the Tianjin Shipping Finance Development Index.
Strategic Infrastructure
Tianjin has strategically developed its infrastructure to support financial growth. The historic Kailuan Mining Bureau site has been repurposed as a financial service hub. The Wudadao Financial Forum has been established as a high-level academic platform. Additionally, digital integration has been prioritized, with 62% of leasing transactions now enabled by blockchain technology.
2025 Roadmap
Looking ahead to 2025, Tianjin has outlined several key initiatives. In green finance, the city plans to pilot steel and chemical transition finance instruments. For cross-border connectivity, it aims to boost RMB settlements in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) trade, targeting a 25% year-over-year increase. The city also plans to launch an AI-powered factoring risk management system to further integrate technology and finance.
Expert Insight
“Tianjin’s model proves that targeted deregulation spurs responsible innovation,” stated Tang Li, Director of Tianjin Financial Bureau. Despite rapid growth, the city maintains a non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of less than 1.5%, demonstrating the effectiveness of its regulatory approach.
Comparative Advantage
Tianjin’s strategic development has positioned it as a regional financial powerhouse and a national testbed for cutting-edge financial solutions. In 2024, the financial sector accounted for 14.2% of Tianjin’s GDP, compared to the national average of 7.8%. Leasing in Tianjin grew at an impressive 18% year-over-year, compared to the national average of 9%. Additionally, the city has introduced 43 first-in-China FTZ innovations, further highlighting its leadership in financial innovation.
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