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Financial regulation

Financial regulation
Key developments in regulation of financial markets with a focus on those in Hong Kong and mainland China.
A person walks past the building of China’s central bank in Beijing. Chinese regulators have raised the overseas-loan leverage ratio for foreign banks in China and their joint ventures with Chinese lenders. Photo: Getty Images
Yuan

China boosts overseas-loan quotas as ‘panda bond’ issuance hits record high

Beijing’s move to lift offshore-loan quotas seen helping stabilise yuan against weaker US dollar while accommodating a surge in net financing via ‘panda bonds’.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong balancing security and innovation as nation’s ‘firewall’: Paul Chan

Banking & finance

Calls grow for HKMA to go further on stablecoins after conservative first batch

Hong Kong stock market

Can Hong Kong’s listing reform 2.0 win over innovative firms?

The reforms enhance the city’s appeal for AI, biotech and other firms by slashing the market cap threshold and enabling confidential filings.

Illustration by Henry Wong
China stock market

China tightens trading scrutiny on major shareholders and executives

New CSRC rules curb short-term trading by major shareholders to boost investor confidence and encourage long-term market participation.

Banking & finance

Editorial | Stablecoin launch delay shows Hong Kong would rather be safe than sorry

Given the complexity involved, it’s wise not to rush to meet any self-imposed deadline but to make sure a good framework is in place first.

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Banking & finance

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Far from a victimless crime, insider trading steals from the rest of us by unfairly using knowledge that is available only to the privileged.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania at the Kennedy Centre for the opening night of the musical Chicago on March 31. Oil trades spiked by half a billion dollars minutes before Trump posted a pause on the US attack on Iranian energy sites. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s anticipated stablecoin licence by end-March does not materialise

Analysts say the delay is most likely administrative and that the overall plan is still on track.

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US-China relations

Open Questions | Euro, Chinese yuan to end US dollar dominance, top economist says

Kenneth Rogoff sees yuan as a reserve currency within five years, Europe asserting financial independence and greater regulation of stablecoins.

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Banking & finance

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Corruption in China

Chinese financial regulator and ex-corruption fighter Zhou Liang under probe

Authorities have zeroed in on the once-elite and opaque financial sector since the 2022 party congress.

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Zhou Liang, vice-chairman of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, is under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law”. Photo: Reuters
Cryptocurrency

Has Hong Kong laid the groundwork to become a world-leading crypto hub?

With its regulatory clarity and superconnector edge, the city is drawing global crypto firms as it emerges as a premier Web3 hub.

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China economy

How China plans to use new law to further its financial superpower ambitions

The draft finance law, released by the Ministry of Justice, central bank and three other regulators, will solicit feedback until April 19.

Hong Kong stock market

SFC prepares to inspect Hong Kong IPO listing sponsors amid quality concerns

Market regulator will soon begin inspection of investment banks amid concerns about deficiencies in listing documents and misconduct.

The inspection will focus on whether banks have complied with a circular outlining expectations on staffing and quality controls when handling IPOs, according to the SFC. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Banking & finance

How China opened the door to creating a direct rival to US payment systems

Beijing has removed several key restrictions on its payment system, allowing it to expand beyond yuan settlements, economist says.

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China has been promoting its own cross-border payment system as it seeks to hedge against potential weaponisation of the US financial system. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong stock market

SFC urges Hong Kong stock exchange to tighten listing, compliance rules

The Securities and Futures Commission made several recommendations to improve the stock exchange’s regulations.

IPO

China’s tightened IPO rules for some ‘red chips’ in Hong Kong raise concerns

The CSRC asks some Hong Kong listing candidates to change their red-chip structure and issue H shares.

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China property

Shanghai joins major cities in loosening commercial property loan rules

Beijing remains the lone top-tier holdout as other cities ease their down payment requirements.

Shanghai’s move marks its first adjustment to commercial property lending rules in more than a decade. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Zero tolerance for insider trading central to Hong Kong’s financial future

Crackdown on wrongdoers a welcome sign of regulatory vigilance that is vital to the city’s role as an international finance hub.

HKEX

HKEX unveils biggest listing reforms since 2018 to lure diverse innovative firms

Bourse operator lowers bar for companies with weighted voting rights and expands the confidential filing option for all listing candidates.

Two Sessions 2026

What 2 new laws at ‘two sessions’ mean for China’s financial superpower push

Two new laws may prove wide-ranging, spanning yuan’s global status to green finance and turning ambition into codified rules, analyst says.

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Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, speaks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AP
Banking & finance

Macroscope | How global debt is sowing the seeds of financial collapse

Markets have so far shrugged off wars and trade conflicts, but the rapid rise of already massive debt should alarm investors.

People with smartphones walk through the business district of Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2022. Debt stocks have reached new highs across both advanced and emerging economies. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images
China stock market

China’s market regulator vows more oversight to shore up confidence

Crackdown on fraud, stronger governance, higher dividends and more buy-backs will enhance appeal of Chinese assets, CSRC chief Wu Qing says.

Banking & finance

HSBC signals intent to join Hong Kong’s stablecoin regime amid digital hub push

Georges Elhedery declined to confirm whether HSBC applied for stablecoin licence but indicated that discussions with regulator were ongoing.

Yuan

China’s yuan strengthens to near 3-year high as US dollar uncertainty grows

The offshore currency continues to appreciate, with official fixing also hitting its strongest level since May 2023.

The yuan has appreciated steadily in recent months. By contrast, the US dollar has remained under sustained pressure, with investor confidence sapped by persistent concerns over the Trump administration’s policy volatility and fears over long-term fiscal sustainability. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Why China’s rise as a ‘financial superpower’ could depend on Hong Kong

From the yuan’s growth as a global currency to IPO funding to tokenisation, the city is a linchpin in Beijing’s ambitions.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Mainland China

UBS China venture faces wrath of silver investors after valuation change

More than 200,000 people file complaints as UBS SDIC’s attempted remedy for sudden change of fund’s price benchmark falls flat with some.

Banking & finance

China puts another big bank under stricter watch – why now?

Beijing continues to impose stricter regulatory standards on major lenders, shielding the financial system from mounting strains.

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