Greater China

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (Safe) has poured cold water over claims that China may stop buying US Treasury bonds. But there is a need for the country to diversify its debt portfolio in the long run if it is serious about promoting RMB internationalisation, economists told GlobalRMB.

Three Chinese property companies, Jiayuan International Group, Golden Wheel Tiandi Holdings Company and SEA Holdings, have managed to meet their respective funding targets despite hitting the dollar bond market on a crowded day.

The Chinese government contemplates RMB-denominated IPOs for mainland companies fundraising for Belt and Road projects, foreign ownership of Chinese bonds goes up in December, and premier Li Keqiang indicates the economy grew by 6.9% in 2017.

Equity investors had their fill of block trades in Hong Kong on Thursday, with three completed successfully — and two even managing to raise more than intended.

China Maple Leaf Educational Systems has added HK$1bn ($127.9m) to its coffers after selling a chunk of shares through a top-up placement, capitalising on a recent jump in its stock price.

Jack Ma, one of the founders of technology giant Alibaba Group Holding, said this week he will seriously consider listing the company in Hong Kong, which has finally approved dual-class share IPOs. It is a sign of what lies ahead for the city’s stock exchange, writes Jonathan Breen.

India’s IL&FS Transportation Networks sold a Rmb900m ($138.21m) offshore renminbi bond on Wednesday, making it the first high yield issuer to seal a deal in the market in more than 16 months.

Ford Automotive Finance (China) is preparing for a Rmb4bn ($614m) deal in the onshore asset-backed securities market – the first by a foreign originator in 2018. But the carmaker is not in the mood for change in the New Year, sticking with the same format it printed in last August.

The equity block trade market is heating up in Hong Kong as shares continue to rally, with banks launching one sole mandate after another.

Chinese property companies bombarded the dollar market this week in an attempt to use their regulatory issuance quotas and seal deals before Chinese New Year. But with more borrowers expected to vie for investor attention, issuers will need to navigate the market carefully — and be ready to pay up. Morgan Davis reports.

China Water Affairs has returned to the international loan market after two years for a $200m fundraising.

Crédit Agricole has moved one of its sustainable banking specialists to Asia, hoping to capitalise on what it expects to be a growing market for green bonds.