Hong Kong’s finance chief has begun a five-day European tour, starting in France, as part of the city’s latest push to attract global capital and reinforce its status as an international financial hub.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po arrived in Paris on Monday, where he met representatives of the Association Francaise de la Gestion Financiere (AFG) and Paris-based think tank Asia Centre, sources told the South China Morning Post.

He also called on China’s ambassador to France and Monaco, Deng Li.

“The French asset management association seems quite interested in expanding its presence in Hong Kong amid market diversification and significant growth potential in the Greater Bay Area asset management market,” a source said.

Chan’s tour comes amid signs of easing geopolitical tensions.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin is set to begin a two-day state visit to Beijing on Tuesday, shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a closely watched summit in the capital with his American counterpart Donald Trump on May 14 and 15.