A visit by the top official of China's National Social Security Fund next week has sparked hopes that the multi-billion-yuan fund will invest in Hong Kong soon.
Securities and Futures Commission chairman Andrew Sheng yesterday said he had invited Xiang Huaicheng, president of the National Social Security Fund Council, for a routine visit, but gave no further details.
The brokerage community is speculating that Mr Xiang could announce the fund's intention to invest in Hong Kong.
However, Mr Sheng said he 'could not confirm if Mr Xiang will announce any good news during his visit next week'.
The central government last year approved in principle for the fund to invest overseas.
Mr Xiang said in November that about 5 per cent of the fund's assets of 149.2 billion yuan would be invested in overseas markets, including Hong Kong.
