HKEX(HK:00388) Jing Ji Guan Cha Bao·2025-12-23 07:56Core Insights - The article highlights the career of Li Xiaojia, known as "Mr. Connect," who has played a pivotal role in linking Chinese enterprises with international capital throughout his financial career [3][4] - Li Xiaojia's initiatives, including the establishment of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Stock Connect (沪港通), have significantly advanced the interconnectivity of financial markets between China and the world [5][6][7] - The article also discusses Li Xiaojia's recent venture, Drip Irrigation Capital (滴灌通), which aims to connect global capital with small and micro enterprises, addressing the financial needs of the grassroots economy [12][13] Interconnectivity Initiatives - In 2012, Li Xiaojia and the then-chairman of the Shanghai Stock Exchange sketched the initial concept for the Stock Connect on a napkin, which later evolved into a formalized trading mechanism [5][6] - The Stock Connect was officially launched on November 17, 2014, marking a significant step towards the mutual opening of capital markets between mainland China and Hong Kong [7][8] - Subsequent initiatives like the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Bond Connect followed the same foundational logic established by the Stock Connect [7][8] Challenges and Reforms - The article outlines the challenges faced in implementing reforms, particularly regarding the acceptance of dual-class share structures, which were initially met with resistance due to concerns over fairness and regulatory integrity [9][10] - The successful listing of Xiaomi in 2018 under a dual-class share structure marked a significant milestone in these reforms, demonstrating the potential for innovation within Hong Kong's financial market [10][11] Drip Irrigation Capital - Drip Irrigation Capital was founded to provide financial services to small and micro enterprises, which have traditionally been underserved by conventional financial products [12][13] - The company aims to create a sustainable investment model that balances risk and return, particularly in the context of high capital costs associated with overseas financing [12][13] - The venture has undergone multiple phases of development, with the current focus on standardizing cash flow assets from small enterprises to meet the investment needs of larger institutional investors [14][15]