Capital Markets

Following on the success of the Stock Connect program, China and the U.K. are now planning a Bond Connect scheme; China eases immigration rules to attract more foreign talents; and Ping An’s Lufax platform is rumored to be quitting P2P lending.

The CBIRC will tighten regulations on China’s cash management products; increased government oversight of Chinese schooling has hit the share price of several Hong Kong-listed tutoring companies; and China’s State Council plans to adopt more fiscal, and tax- and tariff-reduction measures to maintain stability in its international trade.

New court interpretations and a series of court cases with stiff sentences reflect Chinese authorities’ determination to bring insider trading to heel.

The National Negative List relaxes foreign investment in mining, telecommunications, utilities, cinemas and water transport

The FTZ Negative List further opens the printing sector

In a landmark case, an ex-UBS banker was jailed for nine years for cross-border insider trading; the China-Japan ETF Connectivity scheme was launched with four index-tracking ETFs; and the CSRC is considering lifting profitability rules on listed company M&A activities.

The Shanghai and London stock exchanges’ connect program has finally launched; new rules have been introduced to limit speculative trading of stocks on China’s new technology and innovation board; and the CSRC has urged major brokerages in the China to help smaller operations in the country's non-banking financial sector.

The Shanghai-London Stock Connect program has finally started, with Chinese brokerage Huatai Securities raising $1.5 billion in its debut listing.

Alibaba files for Hong Kong listing that could raise $20 billion; China’s state planner will encourage more debt-to-equity swaps; insurers likely to be allowed to up investments in Chinese A-shares; and official proposes beefing up penalties for IP violations.

China’s internet regulator releases a draft of data protection law for public consultation; regulators take over Baoshang Bank due to serious credit risk exposure; and CSRC vice chair Yan Qingmin pushes for tougher penalties.