Greater China

It’s been 13 years since China last sold a dollar bond. Since the news this summer that the Middle Kingdom was eyeing a return to the offshore debt market, bankers and investors have kept a close eye on any official news of the transaction. But as the end of the year nears, it appears as though China missed its mark for issuing an earth shattering bond.

A group of seven Chinese companies have successfully registered with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) to raise foreign currency bonds, according to an update on the regulator’s website on Tuesday.

Zai Lab, a Chinese biotechnology company, was set to price its IPO of American Depository Shares on Tuesday, expected to raise at least $105.9m.

Chinese property developer KWG Property Holding grabbed a modest $250m on Monday from a transaction sealed at an ultra-tight price.

In this new column, GlobalRMB will be speaking to investors from around the world about their views on RMB assets. In the first instalment, Swedish pension fund Andra speaks about its long-standing commitment to China’s equity market.

Goldman Sachs has promoted Ken Hitchner to chairman and chief executive officer of Asia Pacific ex-Japan, amid a rejig of its senior ranks in the region.

Beijing Infrastructure Investment Co is in the market with its first dollar bond in nearly three years, while APP China Group is meeting debt investors in Hong Kong.

Singapore Exchange (SGX) has used the iron ore futures listed on its derivatives market to create a series of inverse and leveraged indices for tradable products.

Digital China Holdings has bagged HK$1.45bn ($185.5m) from a rights issue that was hugely popular, with books more than 1,600% subscribed.

Huarong International Financial Holdings is in the market with a HK$3bn ($383m) two-tranche offshore financing led by a pair of Taiwanese lenders.

Commerzbank is organising a non-deal roadshow in Taipei for Goshawk Aviation, the commercial aircraft lessor owned by a pair of Hong Kong conglomerates.

Chinese steel company Shougang Group Co has mandated banks to lead a roadshow this week ahead of a proposed dollar bond.