Greater China

Chinese company Minsheng Financial Leasing’s offshore fundraising, which was launched at $200m, has received commitments from more than 10 banks during general syndication. But the final size of the loan is yet to be determined.

One of China’s largest private conglomerates, Fosun International, is continuing its reliance on equity capital markets to help fund the expansion of its insurance business. The company has announced a HK$11.7bn ($1.5bn) rights issue, which is poised to hit the market next month.

In this round-up, Chinese premier Li Keqiang said RMB internationalisation to continue, South Korea's RMB deposits halving in a few months, HKMA revamps its RMB liquidity facility, Singapore Exchange and Moscow Exchange see surging RMB trade volumes, Shanghai Gold Exchange expands its list of assets that can be used as collateral for trading to A-shares and foreign currencies, and Deutsche Bank joins OTC Clear as a clearing member.

Chinese premier Li Keqiang defended Beijing’s intervention in financial markets on Thursday, after a collapse in volumes at the China Financial Futures Exchange.

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co (SPDB) roared into the market on Wednesday, finding huge success with its debut $500m deal. The issuer managed to find the perfect window to execute its trade, tightening pricing aggressively but still ending up with a quality book.

Asia’s dollar bond market finally sprang to life this week with a trio of investment grade names successfully pricing deals. Participants are now hoping that the market is open for business, but lingering volatility means trades will come with a bigger price tag, write Narae Kim and Rashmi Kumar.

China Securities (International) Finance Holding Company has opened books for its debut offshore bond, while Qingdao City Construction Investment (QCCI) is planning to issue a senior perp for its second international outing this year.

Hong Kong-based UMP Healthcare Holdings is seeking an IPO in the city, with the firm lodging a listing application with the stock exchange via sole sponsor JP Morgan.

Auto finance companies are taking the Chinese ABS market by storm this year with SAIC-GMAC adding to the surging volumes with a Rmb3bn ($471m) transaction this week. Even though pricing came just slightly above the middle of guidance, bankers on the trade said it was a level the company was more than happy to take.

China has sought yet more intervention to heal its wounded stock market, with the Shanghai, Shenzhen and futures bourses mooting the idea of new circuit breakers that would suspend trading of shares altogether if certain thresholds are breached. But market watchers are divided over whether the move would be a blessing or spell more trouble, writes John Loh.

Hong Kong Tian Yuan Manganese International Trade, which sent out invitations for a $150m loan this week, is now understood to have cancelled the transaction after second thoughts on the impact of a weaker renminbi.

HKEx boss Charles Li hinted on Monday that the recent equity turbulence and surprise currency devaluation meant conditions were not ripe to expand the Stock Connect programme to include Shenzhen. He is wrong and to delay would be a terrible idea.