On August 28, at the 2026 interim results conference, ICBC Vice President Zhang Weiwu provided an update on the bank's international business performance for the first half of the year.

He highlighted that ICBC has actively integrated its international operations into the nation's broader opening-up strategy, balancing development with security while supporting the domestic and international dual circulation. This progress is reflected in three key areas.

First, the bank's international operations have grown steadily. As of the end of June, ICBC's overseas service network covers 69 countries and regions globally, with economic institutions established in 32 countries along the Belt and Road initiative. Overseas total assets reached $511 billion, up 11% year-on-year and 4% from the beginning of the year, with pre-tax profit accounting for approximately 10% of the group's total, reflecting a steady increase in its contribution.

Second, global service capabilities have improved. The bank has adopted a customer-centric approach, offering comprehensive financial solutions such as ICBC Speed Remittance, ICBC Instant Delivery, ICBC Global Payment, and Global Pool products. It has innovated in cross-border supply chain factoring to enhance settlement efficiency and address financing challenges for companies expanding overseas. By leveraging clearing, settlement, payment, custody services, and new platforms like cross-border QR codes and third-party payments, the bank continues to optimize the customer experience. Direct global coverage now extends to 44 countries and regions, serving over 100,000 small and medium-sized cross-border e-commerce enterprises. Cross-border offshore custody assets have surpassed RMB 3 trillion, up 14.6% from the beginning of the year.

Third, international cooperation platforms have been further developed. ICBC has fulfilled its duties as the Chinese chair of the BRICS Business Council, facilitating cooperation among BRICS enterprises. The China-Europe Business Alliance has expanded to include 136 companies from 20 countries, 51 of which are Fortune 500 firms.

Zhang Weiwu noted that RMB internationalization remains a strategic priority for ICBC's international operations. This year, the bank has focused on three main efforts. First, it has broadened cross-border RMB business scenarios through a dedicated action plan, launching a comprehensive cross-border RMB financial solution with ten major service systems, prioritizing new quality productive forces, digital trade, and financing for overseas expansion. Tailored cross-border RMB service plans have been developed for central state-owned enterprises, commodity firms, multinational corporations, and SMEs. In the first half, the group's cross-border RMB settlement reached RMB 5.5 trillion, up 9% year-on-year.

Second, ICBC has strengthened the cross-border RMB payment network by enhancing clearing infrastructure, expanding its clearing bank network, and improving clearing service capabilities. This reinforces the role of RMB clearing banks in nurturing offshore RMB markets. With clearing banks already in 12 countries, the bank was appointed in June as the joint RMB clearing bank for Africa, extending its network to 19 countries where Standard Bank operates.

Third, the bank has enhanced its offshore RMB market services. In the first half, offshore RMB FX market-making and client transaction volumes grew 36% year-on-year, with client numbers up 16%. The bank actively serves institutional investors in 70 countries and regions. In the interbank market, transactions with overseas institutional investors in interest rate and FX products increased 23% year-on-year.

"Going forward, we will continue to support the real economy and the new development paradigm, strengthen integrated domestic and overseas operations, and persistently improve our capabilities in global RMB asset allocation, trading, and pricing services, contributing more to the nation's high-level opening-up," Zhang concluded.