Tucker told officials an "ice-breaking" spirit adopted by British businesses historically would help the UK and China overcome challenges and geopolitical tensions, a bank statement published on Wednesday said. HSBC will make key investments in its asset management arm in China this year, including launching new teams dedicated to green assets and fixed income, the first of the two sources and a third source with knowledge of the matter said. HSBC has stepped up expansion in China despite criticism from some lawmakers in the West of the bank's conduct in the region. HSBC said last week it was "open to opportunities" to expand its businesses in China, after its local partner put a 31% stake in its HSBC Jintrust Fund Management joint venture on the block. HSBC's green finance push builds on its acquisition of Hong Kong-based specialist asset manager Green Transition Partners in January, when the bank said it planned to grow its green infrastructure services across the Asia-Pacific region.

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Persons: Mark Tucker, Tucker, Xi Jinping, HSBC's Tucker, Noel Quinn, Iain Withers, Sinead Cruise, Selena Li, Mark Potter Organizations: HSBC, Ping An Insurance, Morningstar, Beijing, Credit Suisse, UBS, Reuters, HSBC Jintrust Fund Management, Green Transition Partners, Hong, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Beijing, Asia, Western, West, Hong Kong, Pacific, London